From the Armidale Independent, 25/04/2007
THE New England Nomads have continued their gigantic start to the season, winning their second game by more than 100 points.

Up against last year’s Tamworth Australian Football League premiers the Tamworth Swans, the Nomads taking the game 21.10 (136) to the Swans’ 4.5 (29).

The Swans travelled to Armidale short on players and could only field 14 players with no bench against a full Nomads side. Tamworth struggled valiantly but the final result was probably never in doubt at the Bellevue Oval at UNE on Saturday.

Nomads coach Adrian Walsh said the team had been lucky with their new recruits and they had made a big difference to the weekend’s match.

“Anthony Alderuccio has moved here as fitness instructor and Mark Handley is a tennis coach and they have both played a lot of footy and bring a lot of experience to the team,” Walsh said

Handley kicked another 13 goals and Anthony Alderuccio kicked two goals and contributed all afternoon in the centre.

“Alderucci has played a lot of football in Victoria and he is very strong,” Walsh said.

“He has made a big difference in the centre.

“Alderuccio is physically strong and that has made a big difference for centre clearance.”

Walsh was particularly happy with some of the tackling shown by the Nomads but believes there is still room for improvement.

“One area that needs improvement is definitely our defensive work,” Walsh said.

“There is a danger in a game like that where players go looking for kicks and don’t worry so much about defensive work.”

The Nomads goalkickers were Mark Handley (13), Anthony Alderuccio (2), Adrian Walsh (2), Sol Hanks, Mitch Penberthy, Matt Dennis and Caleb Dobos.

Swans Coach Lachlan Rowling was full of praise for his players who battled the odds.

“It is been a show of great depth in character as we build to having a full selection from our player list,” Rowling said.

“Every player has made every contest a competitive fight and done everything I have asked of them.

“It’s a long season and we have our sights firmly planted on playing finals football.”

Not for reproduction except by permission of the Armidale Independent

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