NOMADS skipper Dave “Modra” Richards lived up to his namesake for the fourth year straight, kicking five second half goals to get his side over the top of the Tamworth Kangaroos who led the premiers into the third quarter of the TFL grand final.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The 10.12.72 to 9.7.61 win made it four straight for the New England side, and Richards has top scored in all of them, kicking a record 25 goals in the four grand finals.
Named after Adelaide and Freemantle full-forward Tony Modra, Richards is also known for his big marks and deadly boot up front, and now has the grand final tally to match it.
The Nomads upset the Saints in 2012 with a young Richards taking to the big stage with ease, kicking four goals as the underdogs beat the premiers and began their reign.
In 2013 and 2014 Richards would return to haunt the Saints, kicking eight in two whitewash grand final wins, before nailing five against the Roos on Saturday, and the streaky flier with the big boot doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon.
“That is why we play – games like that keep the boys coming back,” Richards said.
“That was a tough contest from start to finsih and we haven’t really had that for a while.”
The skipper described the side as being nervous but confident at halftime, when they were behind 7.1.43 to 4.8.32. “The Roos came out and were making us play the type of game we didn’t want to play.”
“We were a bit anxious so dropped a few players back and started to get more ball forward.”
“That was the turning point for us - getting more ball and getting the momentum.” The skipper opened the second half by nailing two free shots between the sticks, the second one giving the home side the lead for the first time in the match.
The lead woud change hands four times in that third quarter, the Nomads going into the shed up for the first time 7.11.53 to 8.2.50.
Two behinds after the break had the challenges back to within one point and getting plenty of chances playing in the Nomads half, but unlike the first half when the premiers got the ball forward they didn’t miss, executing with precision as the Roos had done early in the piece to get in front.
Richards would then kick the next three goals, two from spectacular marks in front and one from the silver service that was coming from the midfield. The Roos would kick the final goal but it was all too late, their hopes dashed by the dead-eye captain.
Roos defender Brandon McRedmond played out of his skin to keep Richards goal-less early, winning the golden fist award after the match for his effort, while team-mate Carl Frazier had a good game on Nomads coach Zac Economou, although they couldn‘t keep them quiet all match, the pair kicking seven of the 10 goals between them and leading the side home from the front.
“We just found a way to win,” Richards said.
“It’s always good if you can do that and kick a few goals as well.”
