Nomads prepare to put the Cats in the bag
By Michael Morrisey (Armidale Express, 25/05/2007)
The Nomads will face one of their biggest hurdles of the season when they head to Muswellbrook to play the Cats in the Tamworth Australian Football League competition.
The Cats are just ahead of Nomads on the TAFL table on percentages and whoever wins will gain a distinct lead heading towards the second half of the season.
The Inverell Saints remain undefeated at the top of the table.
“Inverell, the Cats and us would be the three main teams this year on form,” Nomads coach Adrian Walsh said.
“Our team generally is starting to come together.
“We played well last week against the Roos and should have won by a lot more.”
New England will be short staffed against the Cats this weekend but Walsh has faith in his squad to pick up the pieces.
He’s expecting big games from Anthony Reid, Anthony Alderuccio, Matt Maxwell, Mark Curran and Dan Gardner.
“Dan’s starting to perform well there and I’m hoping he’ll take a bit of a leading role and direct the forward line,” Walsh said.
“Mark’s got a big job against Ryan McEvoy. There’s been very few goals scored against Mark this year so hopefully he’ll be able to keep that going.
“Anthony Reid has been doing a great job in the ruck. He’s not the talelst ruckman in the league but he’s doing well each week.”
The Nomads will still be missing their first selection full forward Mark Handley, however Rich Malone has slotted in strongly up front.
“Handles (Mark Handley) has been taking him aside and teaching him a bit about timing your lead and goalkicking,” Walsh said.
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