Round 4 Nomads at Inverell
On the 24th of May the Nomads men and women ventured north to Varley Oval to play Inverell. It had origiunally been scheduled for Armidale but rain meant the ground was closed.
In an impressive effort against the reigning premiers, the Nomads went close to knocking them, After a goalless first quarter, the Nomads outscored the Saints playing an excellent open brand of football. The game also saw the welcome return of Hoani “Rotate” Morrell. Final scores 12.11.83 to 11.10 76. Aidan Barry 4 John Paul Canavan 3 Donanvan Hansell 2 and Reilly Widdup 2. Best Players were Dylan Piper-Bye, John-Paul Canavan, Charlie Keiller and Cotter Litchfield
In the women’s game, the Nomads did well against a very strong Saints team. Despite the venue location, the women came iwth 12 players.Unfortunately coach Leighton Smith injured her knee badly. The final scores here 19.15.129 to 2.1.13. Best players Phoebe Hewetson, Alice Bennett, Lucy Petrie and Millie Ramsey. And Molly Spencer kicked the goals for the Nomads (both in the final quarter).
In the first half in the men’s game, the forward line was too crowded which made it hard for the forwards. At the end of the first quarter the scores were 3.7.25 to 0.2.2. The Nomads has as many inside 50’s but crowding made it difficult. Dpwn back Dylan Piper Smith was doing a wonderful job on their gun full-forward. The second quarter was better and at the close of this quarte the scores were Inverell 7.8.50 to 4.7.31 for the Nomads. Charlie Keiller, JOP Canavan and Hubnter Greene were phenomenakl in the middle. In the secnd half Aidan Barry went forward and cleared the forward line out to provdie space for himself and the small forwards. The score at the final change was 10.9.69 to 8.10.58. The last quarter went to the wire and we didn;t have a bench but perhaps if we a bench we could have won. Who knows? A great effort by Gus Russell in the ruck (one of the Saints players asked if he was Tommy Hunts love child with the height, talent and dominance of the kick behind play).
Players player:John-Paul Canavan
Coach’s award: Dylan Piper Bye
Captain’s award: Riley Widdup
President’s award: Gus Russell
Meehan’s Plumbing Award: Hoani Morrell
Women’s game was impressive in terms of their resilience and fighting the game out; he team is clearLy building. There were 4 women who had never played before. The game ended with the Saints winning by more than 100 points, but at the end of the day the women came away with a great deal of experience. Certainly we are heading in the right direction.
