Nomads have a point to prove after Inverell thrashing

By Matt Nicholls (Armidale Express, 16/07/2010)
New England Nomads will look to bounce back from last week’s 107-point loss to Inverell with a win at home against the Tamworth Kangaroos tomorrow.

It won’t be an easy task, with the Kangaroos looking to consolidate their top-two position on the Tamworth AFL ladder.

Nomads coach Brendan Meehan said his side must put last week’s result behind them and move forward.

“It’s important to learn lessons from the Inverell loss, but we can’t dwell on it too much,” he said.

“Thinking about it is a bit depressing, they completely outplayed us.”

A better midfield performance will be the key for New England.

Ruckman Omphile Temoso won his fair share of the hitouts last week but the Nomads midfielders failed to capitalise in the clearance stakes.

Normally Meehan could throw star forward Weston Whitby into the centre to create some havoc, but the livewire will now miss the remainder of the season with a knee injury.

It means the likes of Hamish Pearce, Matt Maxwell and Jonathon Frost will have to take on more workload at the stoppages.

Young forward Caleb Dobos isn’t too far away from returning to the side after breaking his leg earlier in the season and if he makes his comeback tomorrow, it will give the Nomads an extra option inside 50.

If he doesn’t play, it means Maxwell will likely have to spend the majority of the game in attack, which will be detrimental to the Nomads’ rebound from half-back.

Last time these two sides met, the Kangaroos crushed New England by 69 points in Tamworth.

Cameron Douglas was best on ground for the home side, with support coming from his brother Mitchell and Travis Cotter.

For the Nomads, Pearce was the shining light in what was a disappointing performance.

Play starts at 2pm tomorrow at Bellevue Oval.

Not for reproduction except by permission of the Armidale Express

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