By Michael Morrisey (Armidale Express, 07/06/2006)
The New Engand Nomads are sitting pretty at the top of the Tamworth Australian Rules Football table following an emphatic win over Narrabri on the weekend.

The Nomads shunted the Eagles – never looking in doubt and soaring to a 14.21.105 to 9.7.61 victory.

Now that the Nomads are perched alone at the apex of the competition their detractors are starting to hush and are gradually joining the chorus of New England admirers.

The Nomads are the only team to remain unbeaten this season – their closest match being a draw against premiers, the Muswellbrook Cats.

Their final challenge will be when they face off against the competition favourites, the Tamworth Swans, in three weeks time.

However coach Adrian Walsh doesn’t mind New England’s eternal underdog status.

“I shouldn’t say it, but I don’t mind people thinking of us as underdogs,” he said.

“It probably comes from the tournament earlier in the year.

“We were missing a lot of the university students as well as town players who had other commitments.

“We went down with 14 players and I think a lot of people made preconceptions from that.”

Walsh was pleased with how well his team has managed to gel and the fact that their performances seem to improve week to week.

His one complaint was that they were slightly off target at the Narrabri fields.

“We only kicked 14 goals when we really should have kicked 23 or 24,” Walsh said.

“It’s by far the smallest oval and you could practically kick a goal from the centre.”

Walsh gave kudos to the back line who lead through their defence.

He mentioned Reece ‘Plugger’ O’Brien who ‘had his best game all season.’

“He’s a very strong player,” Walsh said.

Other players of mention included Tom Hunt and Jack Sartor while Mark Curran and Glen Northway also gave stellar performances.

Solomon Hanks, Walsh and Northway all put the pill between the posts three times.

There will be no TAFL this weekend as the competition rears up to host an inter-league competition in Inverell against teams from the Summerland and North Coast leagues.

“I’m heading over to watch those games on Saturday,” Walsh said.

“The standard of play often lifts when you play against more experienced teams.

“I’ll be interested to see how those guys go.”

Not for reproduction except by permission of the Armidale Express.

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