U18 RAMS too strong for Northern Knights
The NSW/ACT Under-18 RAMS have kicked off the 2011 representative AFL season with an impressive 11-point victory over Northern Knights on Saturday.
The RAMS were given a chance to fine-tune their Under-18 NAB National Championships preparations by playing against TAC Cup team, the Northern Knights at Visy Park.
In perfect conditions in their first official match as a team, the RAMS got off to a slow starting before coming from behind to claim a hard-fought victory, winning 16.7.103 to 13.14.92.
The RAMS were led from the front by their two talls, 202-centimetre Craig Moller, who kicked five goals, and 208-centimetre ruckman Jarrod Witts.
In defence, Matthew Lodge was instrumental in the victory at full back, while Harry Cunningham showed class and speed on a wing.
It took the RAMS a little while to get going in the opening quarter, despite their competitiveness and intent, they trailed at the first change by two goals.
The second quarter was a different story as the RAMS started to gel on their way to a six-goal straight term.
One goal in particular by the RAMS’ Harry Cunningham was the epitome of NSW/ACT’s higher work rate.
He received the ball in the middle of the ground and cut through a wide open corridor leaving a number of Knights players in his wake before balancing and kicking a terrific goal from 40-metres out.
While the RAMS appeared in control at halftime, Northern got on top of the clearances and began to locate targets inside forward-50 on their way to an 11-point lead at three-quarter-time.
But it was the RAMS who were prepared to run that little bit harder in the last quarter, as their two big men Craig Moller and Jarrod Witts got on top.
Moller was a beacon up forward on his way to five goals, while Witts competed hard in the middle of the ground against Knights star, Billy Longer.
Hard running and accurate kicking was the catalyst to the team’s 22-point turnaround in the fourth quarter to claim their first win of the Under-18 representative season.
AFL NSW/ACT State Talent and Coaching Manager Darren Denneman said the RAMS’ ability to come from behind to win was a highlight of the victory.
“We’re pleased that the group of 22 was able to come together, respond positively and work closely with Nick Stevens and the coaching staff to get a very good result and prove that they can adapt quickly to the characteristics of each other and the type of game we want to play,” Denneman said.
The RAMS will play the Murray Bushrangers at Lavington Sports Ground on Saturday, May 7. The team will be announced later in the week.
The RAMS play two more TAC Cup matches before the NAB National Championships commence in June in Sydney.
RAMS 16.7.103 defeated Northern Knights 13.14.92
NSW/ACT RAMS
GOALS: C. Moller 5, A. Flagg 3, J. Potter 3, T. Head , H. Cunningham , B. Guthrie , J. Harper , O. Tweeddale
BEST: C. Moller, M. Lodge, H. Cunningham, J. Witts, M. Hartley, J. Potter, J. Gourlay, O. Tweeddale
Northern Knights
GOALS: N. Maric 3, A. Bonaddio 2, M. Atta , A. Corr , B. Longer , T. Currie , T. McEwan , J. Ballard , L. Brandt , J. Newnes
BEST: J. Newnes, D. Morris, W. Gleeson, T. Totevski, J. Ballard, N. Stefanile
