NEW ENGLAND Nomads rebounded from a shock first- round loss to continue their domination of Inverell Saints with a grand final replay win on the Saints’ home turf Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Nomads beat the Saints to win last season’s TAFL flag in Armidale and were dominant again at Varley Oval on Saturday with a 21.15 141 to 10.9 69 victory.
Weston Whitby kicked 11 goals to lead the way for the Zac Economou-coached Nomads.
“We played well. The boys were looking to improve after the loss to the Roos and they came out pretty fired up,” Economou said.
“Weston was unstoppable – he kicked five goals in the first quarter.”
Economou (3), Jed Ellis-Cluff (3) and Hayden Clarke (2) also kicked multiple goals for the visitors to rebound impressively from the first- round loss to the Kangaroos.
In Tamworth, Tamworth Kangaroos overwhelmed Tamworth Swans in a second- half success at No 1 Oval to take a firm hold on the Billy Holder Cup.
The Roos kicked 21.17 143 to the Swans’ 7.4 46 and continue a great and unbeaten start to the new TAFL season following their stunning first- round win over New England Nomads.
Leading the way for the Roos on Saturday was club stalwart Daniel Johnson.
He’s not a noted goalkicker, normally playing a defensive or defending midfield role.
On Saturday he and another stalwart, Dan Overeem, booted five goals apiece, with Chris Pollock and Boe Gilmour also kicking three goals apiece.
“I’ve been coaching and playing a long time,” Roos coach Tony Bishop said.
“But I haven’t seen as emphatic a man of the match display as what Daniel produced today.
“He was outstanding, kicked five goals from the middle all from set shots.
“He took the bull by the horns.”
Ben Evenis also impressed with a two-goal haul following his great Roos debut the previous week, with Chris Pollock, Daniel Leon, Alex Hudson, Brad Rees Brock Quinn all excelling.
Swans club president Josh McKenzie said his club competed well.
“We were pretty happy with the way we played,” he said.
“We ran with them for the most part in the first half but struggled to stay with them in the third quarter.”
In the third TAFL game, Gunnedah Bulldogs beat Narrabri Eagles by 25 points at Wolseley Park, Gunnedah.
The Bulldogs kicked 13.18 96 to the visitors’ 11.5 71 after the Eagles had levelled it all up at three quarter time, 53 apiece.
However the Bulldogs kicked 6.7 in the final term to run out winners against the Eagles who could only reply with three straight goals.
Mitch Swain was on target again, booting five goals for the Bulldogs while Andy Mack also bagged a pair while James Mack, Brad Jenkinson, Ryan Cooper, Al Hillard and David Griffith excelled for the home side.
Todd Dunn booted seven goals for the Eagles who were best served by Glenn Wingfield, Shane Murphy, Dan Nixon, Matthew Walters, Michael Miskle and Matthew McConnell.