It was a wet and dreary day that confronted the Saints in Armidale as they faced off against the Nomads in the Qualifying Final. The footy was always going to be scrappy in the conditions but it was the Nomads who showd the Saints how to play in the conditions, running out convincing 27 point victors.
The message for the Saints from the start was that this was not a day to try to chase from behind and with those words ringing in their ears, got off the a great start coutesy of a Stwe Walker goal. However depsite dominstaing early possession, the Saints failed to capitalise and gifted the Nomads a couple of soft goals with some lacklustre defending. The Nomads didn't waste their opportunities and finished the quarter with another major to take a handy 2 goal lead into the first change.
Needing to step up the intensity, the Saints again started the quarter with plenty of vigor. However missed opportunities mixed with some intersting goal umpiring decisions saw them kick a wasteful 1.7 for the quarter compared to the Nomads 2.1. This left the halftime margin still at 12 points, but Saints supporters were left confident that the run of play seemed to be heading the Saints way.
That optimism was squashed in the first 30 seconds of the third quarter as the Nomads kicked an early goal, again on the back of some disappointing defense from the Saints. The quarter then became a classic arm wrestle in the wet, with the Saints again wasting some promising attacking raids only to see the Nomads make the most fo their opportunities. A late Nomads goal increased the margin to 18 points at the last change and with the rain well and truly set in, it was along way back for the Saints.
The last quarter needed to be a big one for the Saints, and the signs looked good as the Saints pressed forward and had the ball locked in the Nomads back 50 for the first few minutes. However all the Saints could muster was a solitary point, and the Nomads then went to work on peppering the Saints goal at the other end. The only goal to both team in the quarter was a ripper to Rising Star winner Dave Richards as the Nomads came home with a comfortable 27 point win.
For the Saints, Jono Elphick tried hard to lift his side, playing in a range of positions around the field, whilst Peter Dunlop was a constant threat running off the wing. Hamish Bird showed his older teammates how its done up front, whilst Matt Harrison was influential in keeping the backline together.
The Saints must now regroup and ready themselves for the Eagles this weekend in what will be the Saints only home final this year.
Last Modified on 31/08/2011 10:59