By Stephen Jeffery (Armidale Express, 28/05/2012)
The New England Nomads have reached the top of the AFL season ladder after belting the Tamworth Swans 129-26 on Saturday.

Although they led from the outset, complacency from the Nomads caused a slow start to the game, with the Swans providing an early challenge to the side.

The Swans stepped up their game in the second and third quarters, scoring two goals in the second and one in the third.

But halfway through the third quarter, the Nomads began to improve, led by an impressive performance from David Richards.

Strong balance and focus allowed Richards to score eight goals for the side, assisted by Simon Stubbs with three goals and Zac Economou with two.

Hugh Cook and other players on the back line held a solid defensive position throughout the match, preventing attacks from the Swans earlier in the game.

The Nomads’ victory has pushed them from second to first on the ladder, with only one defeat so far this season.

While Nomads coach Tom Granleese was pleased with the result, he said the team could have performed better.

“I think we need to improve our game plan and we really need to work a lot harder up and down the ground,” he said.

“The players certainly know the game plan and it’s just a matter of having the discipline to execute it.”

Granleese said the team would face extra challenges in the coming weeks, with a string of six away matches in a row.

“I’m not reading too much into being on top of the ladder at the moment; the real test is getting results over the next six weeks with continual travelling and away games,” he said.

The side will play against the Muswellbrook Cats this weekend.

Granleese said the team was well-prepared for the match, but needed to focus on their discipline over the next week.

Not for reproduction except by permission of the Armidale Express

Round 7 2012

Nomads def. Swans
	G	B	P		G	B	P
Q1	4	2	26		0	5	5
HT	7	4	46		2	5	17
Q3	12	7	79		3	5	23
FT	20	9	129		3	8	26

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