By Ben Lonergan (Armidale Express, 20/08/2014)
The New England Nomads rebounded from their first loss of the season in style with a 126-76 win over the Gunnedah Bulldogs.

Player-coach Zac Economou challenged his players to re-find their intensity after the loss to the Inverell Saints the week before and while it wasn’t a perfect performance, it was a much improved one.

“It wasn’t the cleanest game by either side in the wet, but it was good to come away with the win,” Economou said. The Nomads certainly found their intensity in the first quarter as they booted six goals to jump out to a 39-9 lead.

Three more in the second quarter gave the Nomads a huge 60-21 buffer at the main break.

They booted five goals in both the third and fourth quarters to coast to a 50-point victory.

“We started very well,” Economou said.

“The intensity was there right from the start.

“But as the game wore on we dropped back into our old habits and became complacent and it showed towards the end of the game.”

The complacency Economou is talking about refers to the final quarter when his side conceded five goals.

“We just need more urgency throughout the entire game,” he said.

“We were good in patches, but then we would drop off again.”

Lapses in effort during games is Economou’s main concern heading into the final round of the home and away season and he admits the success of recent years may be the main cause.

“I’m not really sure how to fix it,” he said.

“All year we have lifted when we have had to.

“As a coach I am sure the boys will keep lifting when they need to.”

Economou said Weston Whitby, Clinton Ballagh, Tom Hunt and Hugh Cook were his best on Saturday.

This weekend the Nomads return to Bellevue Oval to face the Tamworth Kangaroos.

With the minor premiership already sewn up, the Nomads will be using Saturday’s match as a tune-up for the semi-finals.

“It’s a big game for us against the Roos,” Economou said.

“They’ve hit some good form and will be a big challenge for us.

“When we played them last time, we played some of our best footy, so hopefully we can replicate that.”
 
Not for reproduction except by permission of the Armidale Express

Round 14 2014

Bulldogs def. by Nomads
	G	B	P		G	B	P
Q1	1	3	9		6	3	39
HT	2	9	21		9	6	60
Q3	5	14	44		14	9	93
FT	10	16	76		19	12	126

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