Grand final bitterness has Nomads wary of Saints
From the Armidale Express, 22/06/2012
Grand final rematches always carry some extra weight and the New England Nomads hope they won’t buckle under the pressure in their’s.
The Tamworth AFL champions host the third-placed Inverell Saints at Bellevue Oval tomorrow and expect a fired up performance from the visitors.
“They”re always tough so we’re priming ourselves for a big match with them,” Nomads captain-coach Tom Granleese said.
“I’m sure they’re still feeling angry about losing the grand final to us at home last year. They’re also within reaching distance of us on the ladder.”
The Nomads are coming off a big win over the Swans.
The Saints are chasing the second-placed Tamworth Kangaroos but Graneleese also worries about his side’s top ranking if it is beaten tomorrow.
The Saints are an experienced team and know how to perform in big games.
They have the record to prove it.
“They’ve played in the last six grand finals,” Granleese said.
“They’ve always been the bench-mark.
“Everyone’s primed and we’re fine tuning some new game plans.”
Those game plans have been rehashed this week as the Nomads prepare for the game.
Fortunately revision is something all students are used to.
Or at least they should be.
“All the boys are back at uni now,” Granleese said.
“It’s been a bit disruptive, having them there and then not there.
“We’ll work on the fitness of those guys after being at home and eating mum’s cooking.
“We need to remind them of the game plan because a lot of them are first year players.”
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