RAMS finish nationals in style
The Under-16 RAMS have finished the NAB AFL Championships in style with an emphatic 90-point victory over Northern Territory on Saturday.
The match was set-up for the RAMS by three-quarter-time when they raced out to a ten goal advantage and a lead which they didn’t give up in the 21.8 (134) to 6.8 (44) win.
It was a fitting end to the championships for the RAMS, recording three from four victories, and finishing the event in second place.
For coach, Tom Harley, it was a successful start to his NSW/ACT coaching career with the side again dominating all match statistics including winning the possession count (265 to 197) and marks (87 to 36).
“This is my first experience coaching and I think the program we’re running in NSW/ACT provides these kids from all over the state and territory with an opportunity to play (at the highest level),” Harley said.
“We’ve got some players from very diverse sporting backgrounds and to see them gel together during the week was really rewarding as a coach to see it click.
“This has been a successful group all the way through from juniors and they were an absolute pleasure to coach.”
As he has done all carnival, Sydney Swans scholarship holder Lloyd Perris led from the front with a match-high 23 possession and five mark game. It was an outstanding carnival for Perris which was capped off by receiving the NAB Most Valuable Player award for the RAMS.
Perris was assisted by Jack Codd-Miller (18 touches and nine marks) who was the architect down back while Gibbons also wrapped up an impressive carnival with 22 disposals and seven tackles.
The RAMS headed into the match knowing win, lose or draw they wouldn’t win the championships after Queensland defeated Tasmania earlier in the day to take out the title.
This didn’t curb NSW/ACT’s momentum however, racing out to an early lead courtesy of a five goal quarter.
As expected, Northern Territory bounced back in the second quarter pulling the RAMS’ lead back to 14 points at halftime.
NSW/ACT again got off to a great start in the third quarter with three goals in as many minutes to Shane Potter (two) and Jack Steele.
From here on in, it was all the RAMS as they piled on 50 points to two to race out to a comfortable 62-point lead at three-quarter-time.
The RAMS put the icing on the cake in the final quarter recording an emphatic 90-point victory at Blacktown International Sportspark.
The next AFL NSW/ACT Talented Player Program event will be the Under-13 and Under-14 Joss State Zone Trials being held in Albury in October.
For all of your latest Talent news, visit www.aflnswact.com.au and follow the @NSWACT_Rams and @aflnswact on Twitter and AFLNSW/ACT on Facebook.
NSW/ACT 21.8 (134) defeated Northern Territory 6.8 (44)
GOALS
NSW/ACT: Steele 3, Haggerty 3, Damme 3, Potter 3, Heeney 2, Clothier 2, Gibbons, Bond, Keogh, Loudon, Delves
BEST
NSW/ACT: Bond, Codd-Miller, Heeney, Keogh, Perris, Clyne, Gibbons
