RAMS fall short in Grand Final

Despite a 42 point loss in the 2010 NAB AFL  Under-18 Championships grand final on Tuesday, the NSW/ACT RAMS will be happy with their campaign after challenging the best teams in the competition.

The RAMS played fluent, free flowing football at times during the Championships and even had the chance to upset their division one opponents during their respective matches.

Click here to view photos from the grand final match against Tasmania at Visy Park.

The RAMS started their campaign with a 41-point victory over Northern Territory before going on to beat their division two opponents Queensland by 74 points. They RAMS almost upset the division one Western Australia, going down by only 16 points, and despite a strong showing against the highly fancied Vic Country, they lost by 66 points.

Unfortunately the RAMS couldn’t replicate their good form on grand final day and fell short to a Tasmanian side that rarely missed their opportunities in front of goal.

Anthony Miles capped off a superb tournament with 18 possessions and seven clearances while Josh Bruce was again a shining light in the forward-50 accumulating 13 disposals and two goals.

In cold conditions, Tasmania got out to a good start but was dealt a major blow when skipper and playmaker Josh Green left the field in the first term with a fractured rib.

Green’s absence was not noticed as Tasmania’s midfielders continued to find plenty of the ball while their forwards took full advantage of their goal scoring chances, kicking four goals straight for the term.

With the RAMS trailing by 35 points at the main break, it was always going to be a tough ask to fight their way back into the contest, especially with Tasmania kicking so accurately – nine goals straight for the half.

To the credit of the RAMS they didn’t drop their heads as Kurt Aylett (14 disposals and five hard ball gets) and Alex Overs tried their best to inspire a second half revival.

While the RAMS restricted their opponents to only one goal in the third quarter they couldn’t put pressure on the scoreboard, kicking 1.3 for the term.

When Tasmania’s Charlie Riewoldt, brother of Richmond star Jack, kicked his fourth goal of the match midway through the fourth quarter the game was all but over. Tasmania went on to claim their second Championships victory in the last three years with a 42-point win over the RAMS.

Even though the RAMS didn’t get the result they were seeking they will be satisfied with their Championships knowing their players can match it with the best teams in the competition.

It is a testament to the Talented Player Program that the NSW/ACT players are impressing on the big stage and they should be rewarded by being selected on AFL lists in future drafts.

Tasmania: 4.0 9.0 10.3 13.6 (84)
NSW/ACT: 2.1 3.1 4.4 6.6 (42)
GOALS
TAS: Charlie Riewoldt 4, Jacob Gillbee 2, Sam Rainbird 2, Jimmy Webster, Michael Musicka, Sam Darley, Andrew Phillips, Cody Thorp
NSW/ACT: Blake Bray 2, Josh Bruce 2, Kane Murphy, Wade Hancock
BEST
TAS: Rhys Mott, Sam Darley, Sam Rundle,  Jacob Gillbee, Joseph Groenewegen, Andrew Phillips, Rudy Barrett
NSW/ACT: Alex Overs, Josh Bruce, Mark Whiley, Anthony Miles, Jarred Lane, Sam Martyn