In the wake of a two hundred point thrashing in their first trip to Bellevue in 2014, the Tamworth Swans made the trip to Armidale hoping to at least make the red hot Premiership favourites earn their likely victory. Despite some key late withdrawals reducing the playing stocks to just 17, the Swans remained relatively upbeat as they warmed up on an unexpectedly sunny day in the Tablelands.
The Nomads had the best of the early ball out of the centre, but found it difficult to penetrate a well organised and hard working Swans defensive line. With Damien Wendt picking off many of their attempted excursions inside fifty, the Nomads were kept scoreless for an extended period early on which seemed to frustrate them into uncharacteristic skills errors. Rebounding into attack, the Swans at times looked dangerous with the ball in hand. Possibly surprised by the amount of quality Sherrin they were in receipt of, the Swans lacked some composure in the forward half that may have cost them a chance to truly go with their hosts early. Michael Moffitt worked hard on the right wing and was rewarded with the Swans opening goal. The Nomads managed four in the same period, but the Swans took some confidence in being just 18 points adrift at the first change.
The second quarter saw the Swans maintain the same intensity in the contest, and matching the run of the New Englanders off the ball saw them maintain the pressure from the first quarter. Again the League leaders looked frustrated with the Swans persistence, and wasted a number of chances in front of the sticks. Three goals to the Nomads were matched by major scores to Nathan Bradburn and Thomas Byrnes, along with a highlight in David Cumming's first senior goal, and the Swans felt a little unlucky not to be closer than the 23 point gap at half time.
Rare as it might be to be happy with a four goal deficit, the Swans were the more bouyant camp at the main break. The Nomads came out in the third quarter looking to make amends, and for the first time truly took control of the midfield. Looking once again their formidable and clinical selves, the Nomads started to open the game up with strong run, and picked apart the Swans defence with surgical precision to give their big forwards their best service of the match. The Swans backline continued to battle away, however the Nomads piled on seven goals to a reply of just two behinds. With the tide turned, any sense of an upset had been killed off as the Nomads took a 70 point lead into the last break.
With a quarter to play, the Swans were called on to run the match out and not let the result blow out. The slick centreman of the Nomads still appeared to have an advantage, and with the help of fresher legs they had the best of the field position, but the Swans backline continued to fight hard to give them few easy scoring opportunities. Adam Splithof running off half back propelled the Swans into attack, and with the broken play the Swans again looked dangerous at times. This netted two more goals through Splithof and Nathan Bradburn. The Swans restricted the Nomads to four goals in the same period, aided late when a Nomads player was sent off for a dangerous challenge, and it was a brave effort to run the match out beaten by 83 points.
Despite the defeat being comprehensive, it was a courageous effort that instilled pride in the red and white. Adam Splithof was a driving force and was named the Swans' best, sharing the Player's Player with David Cumming who turned in a career best performance. Michael Moffitt was unlucky to miss either award in a slashing effort under trying circumstances. Young Zac Walters was most impressive in his debut as a Swan, drawing favourable comparisons to his brother. The Green Ant went to William Priest, who lived up to his reputation with a classic fourth quarter line.
FINAL RESULTS:
NOMADS: 4.1 (25) 7.6 (48) 14.13 (97) 18. 17 (125)
SWANS: 1.1 (7) 4.1 (25) 4.3 (27) 6.6 (42)
GOALS:
NOMADS: Z. Economou (7); M. Foley (3); C. Ballagh, V. Chakalisa, I. Graham (2); Z. Old, W. Whitby (1).
SWANS: N. Bradburn (2); T. Byrnes, D. Cumming, M. Moffitt, A. Splithof (1).
BEST:
NOMADS: Z. Economou, M. Foley, Z. Old, W. Whitby, V. Chakalisa, T. Granleese.
SWANS: A. Splithof, M. Moffitt, T. Byrnes, G. Knee, J. McRae, D. Wendt.
Last Modified on 04/08/2014 21:30