New England cruise home by 185 in first game of Aussie rules season
By Michael Morrisey (Armidale Express, 16/04/2007)
The New England Nomads have let their 2007 Tamworth Australian Football Leage (TAFL) aspirations be heard loud and clear with a 185-point victory over Narrabri on Saturday.

The 29.19.193 to 1.2.8 shellacking sits as one of the most comprehensive wins in the histroy of the TAFL and marks the Nomads as early competition front-runners.

Although the Nomads had headed to Narrabri expecting to walk away trumps, even they were surprised by the extent of their victory.

“We’re pretty ecstatic actually,” Nomad Ben Page said.

“We were expecting to get a victory but not so comprehensively, especially because we had a lot of guys unavailable.

“We had a few guys just filling in and we playedpretty good footy for the first game of the year.

“It’s definitely a confidence booster for the guys who aren’t regulars and the guys who haven’t played before.

“It lays the platform for when some of our more seasoned regulars return.”

Page did emphasize that the Eagles were also severely undermanned going into the game.

Page was quick to give kudos to several key Nomad players in the match.

“Mark Handley, our full forward was easily the best on ground considering he kicked 17 goals,” he said.

Page also gave credit to Anthony Alderuccio, a centre who relocated from Victoria to Armidale, ruckman Anthony Reid, Glen northway and Matty Maxwell.

“We kicked 29 goals and 19 behinds yesterday so we’re happy with that,” Page said.

New England confidence is high heading into next weeks grand final replay against the Tamworth Swans.

The Swans sent down 17.11.115 to 12.6.78 against the Inverell Saints in their first game of the season.

“It’s a grand final replay against the Swans at home,” Page said.

“They lost yesterday (Saturday) so it’ll be interesting to see how they play up here.

“It’ll be a good chance to avenge last (Newspaper report ends here)

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