TOM Granleese leaves behind a perfect record and winning legacy on the back of the New England Nomads fourth straight premiership on Saturday at Bellevue Oval, beating the Tamworth Roos 10.12.72 to 9.7.61.
Nomads skipper and five goal hero Dave Richards, former coach Tom Granleese and current coach Zac Economou celebrate four straight and the end of an era as Granleese calls it a day. 190915CBA41
The Nomads had to use all their finals experience to play with patience and come from behind after the Tamworth Roos jumped to an early 20 point lead off the back of some accurate goal kicking.
While the Roos were hitting the target sweetly, the premiers couldn’t get one through the sticks early, although Granleese knew if they kept creating opportunities the goals would come.
On the day, what the Nomads lacked in accuracy they made up for in tenacity, kicking 11 behinds and only seven goals when they took the lead off the Roos at three quarter time, the Roos going the other way making every shot count at 7.11.53 to 8.2.50.
“That was the toughest game we have played since we won our first grand final in Inverell in 2012,” Granleese said.
“We would much rather win like that in a grand final and expected that kind of performance from the Roos this season.”
“That was really close but the best way to win and go out on top.”
The Nomads have faced the Saints in every grand final until this year, the Roos ending the Saints nine year finals run in the preliminary final last week.
Granleese joined the club in 2012 as coach, taking them to back-to-back titles before an addition to the family saw him hand the reins over to current coach and full forward Zac Economou.
With that kind of experience at either end of the field, and players like skipper Dave Richards, Jed Elis-Cluff and Tom Hunt in between, the Nomads have a wealth of talent and experience, and needed it all to come home on top late in the final.
“The cream rises to the top,” Granleese said.
“I knew we would get back on top.”
“It doesn’t get any better than that.”
The lanky defender is about to welcome another member to the family, as well as a move to Grafton that he claims will end his playing career as a four time grand final winner.
He thought that Jed Ellis-Cluff, Tom Hut and Tim Keys were the best for the Armidale side in the final.
“Experienced players like that don’t panic,” Granleese said.
“That is why I had so much confidence that we would get on top.”
The former coach reflected on the difference not only in those players but in the clubs culture over his time there.
“We have come so far in those four years.”
“That first final over the Saints was a big turning point for us.”
“Now we have a hard edge mentally and physically that makes us very tough to beat.”
“It has been a fantastic time.”
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