By Michael Morrissey (Armidale Express, 07/09/2007)
The New England Nomads will be desperately trying to keep their premiership aspirations alive when they take on the Tamworth Kangaroos at Bellevue Oval in the Tamworth Australian Football League minor semi-final tomorrow.

A win means they move through to play the loser of the major semi between the Inverell Saints and Muswellbrook Cats while a loss means they’ll have to wait until next year to take to the paddock.

Tomorrow’s game is also the last time the Nomads will play at home this year.

They lost last week’s qualifying final against the Muswellbrook Cats however their coach Adrian Walsh said that hasn’t affected spirits within the club.

New England went to Muswellbrook with a small bench after several late withdrawals with injury and came up against a steam-rolling Cats outfit.

“I can’t imagine they could play any better than they played,” Walsh said.

“They played as well as they could play: every kick hit target, they made space, they ran.

“If Muswellbrook play the way they did on Saturday there’s nobody that can beat them.

“I was disappointed but there wasn’t any way I could chastise the guys.

“Muswellbrook played a good brand of football.”

While the Nomads are still missing several vital players, including Mark Handley and Dylan McGrath, both of whom will be out for the remainder of the season, Matt Maxwell and Caleb Dobos are both back and ready to play.

“It looks good for the Roos this weekend,” Walsh said.

“we just need to play football the way Muswellbrook played on Saturday and basically kick for position.

“There’s belief there that we can win it if we pull it together.

“Our guys know how to play that oval and the young guys run it well.

“Personally, I hope we don’t get too much rain because we play better when it’s dry.

“But it doesn’t help the Roos either because it takes away their marking advantage.

“It’s our last home game so if people want to see us in Armidale it’s their last opportunity.”

The Nomads play the Tamworth Roos at Bellevue at 2pm tomorrow.

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