By Siobhan McCarthy (Armidale Express, 14/06/2013)
Nomads’ star full forward James Boatfield has a long association with AFL.

Despite a two-year absence from the sport he is now the lead goal kicker across the Tamworth AFL competition and will help lead the charge when the New England Nomads tackle the Muswellbrook Cats tomorrow.

The Nomads are undefeated in this year’s competition and Boatfield, in his first full season with the Nomads said staying in that position is at the forefront of the side’s minds.

“It would be awesome for the Nomads to win another premiership and to finish the season undefeated would be pretty good for the CV,” he said.

Boatfield first took to the field as a 12-year-old but said his recent form is a new thing.

“I haven’t had this sort of success, but I think it has a lot to do with maturity,” he said.

“When I was playing back home in Nambucca I was always worried because I was playing up a few grades.

“But I also think it comes down to the team; here everyone works well together and when the ball comes out of the centre I am able to finish it off.”

While the Nomads are firmly placed at the top of the ladder and the Cats have not had the same success, Boatfield said they would not take tomorrow’s clash lightly.

“Because we are on top you can sometimes run the risk of not staying motivated,” he said.

“But when I get on the field I try to get in the zone in my head where the game is nil-all … and I work with that.”

This is the first time the Nomads will face the Cats this season. The last time the two sides went to play, the Cats forfeited.

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