Nomads keen to get back on track against Gunnedah
By James Polson (Armidale Express, 29/05/2009)
The New England Nomads will be hoping to convert a few more opportunities during their Tamworth Australian Football League (TAFL) clash with the Bulldogs in Gunnedah tomorrow.
The Nomads went down to the Kangaroos last week by 29 points – a margin or indeed a result that easily have been different.
The Armidale side kicked three goals and 15 behinds in the second and fourth quarters – and there was plenty of training in front of goal on Tuesday evening, according to coach Brendan Meehan.
“It only makes it harder on yourself,” he said.
“Even if we’d kicked half of them that’s an eight goal turnaround.
“We’re definitely making those opportunities, it’s just a matter of taking advantage of them.
“I hope the boys have realised after last week that it takes more than few minutes each quarter.”
Meehan said numbers had been good at training but the Nomads would still be missing a few players, including the injured Hamish Pierce.
It had been hoped he would return this week for his first hitout since round one but he is yet to recover from a knee injury.
The Nomads are yet to face Gunnedah this season, but came away on the right side of the ledger in both of their matches last year.
“It’s a tough one,” Meehan said.
“Both times we had a good first half before letting them back into the game and only just getting away with the win.”
In tomorrow’s other TAFL fixtures Tamworth hosts a local derby between the Kangaroos and the Swans, while Muswellbrook travel to Inverell to take on the Saints.
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