Round 6 of the TAFL saw the Saints making their shortest road trip up the highway to visit the Nomads at Bellvue Oval. After enduring blizzard like conditions in the previous 3 trips to Amridale, a warm autumn day leant itself to some quality football form both sides.
The Saints have had the wood over the Nomads in recent times, but the first exchange showed this was not going to be a walk in the park with the Nomads kicking a goal within 60 seconds of the first ball up. However, the Saints fought back with a goal themselves and looked to have settled into the game before the Nomads exploded again and kicked 2 quick majors to set up an early lead. Once again the Saints regrouped and took the lead late in the quarter thanks to goals from Mick Viney and Chris Whitton to take a slender lead into the first break.
The second quarter became the type of arm wrestle the Saints normally revel in, however it was the Nomads who were the team seeming to enjoy the tight contest. After kicking a couple of impressive goals, the Nomads looked to have the game at their mercy and when Luke Selig went down for the Saints with 10 minutes left in the half, it looked a long way back for the boys from Inverell. But it was almost like the injury sparked the Saints into action who kicked the next 3 of the quarter and set themselves up with a 10 point lead at the long break.
The half time address was all about getting back to the structures and sticking to the game plan of finding a way to stop the run of the Nomads and this seemed to work as the Saints kicked 2 crucial goals early in the quarter to get the lead back out to 22 points. But this time it was the Nomads who wouldn't lie down, getting 2 quick replies to get the margin back to what it was at the half. But a brilliant running effort from Whitton and a couple of settlers from Viney saw the Saints move out to a 25 point lead at the last change.
With the match far from over, the Saints had to break the back of the Nomads early and did exactly that with quick goals to Shaun Mansbridge and Mitch Hall. From there it was all one way traffic as the Saints piled on another 5 goals to one to put the game to bed and collect the 4 points. Viney finished with a haul of 8, with Whitton kicking 4.
Joe Kimmince was excellent across half back, controlling the dangerous Anthony Reid, whilst Stewart Walker returned for his first game of 2010 and was dominate in the midfield and ruck. Mansbridge was also important on the wing and the unselfish team work of Justin Pay earned special praise post match.
The Saints now have 7 days to recover and face the Swans in what will be a Grand Final rematch of 2009. The match has been moved to the Inverell Sports Complex due to a clash with Varley Oval but a big crowd is expected to come along and watch what will be a pivotal clash in the TAFL in 2010.
Last Modified on 16/05/2010 14:45