RAMS respond in the best possible way
The NSW/ACT RAMS have responded to their opening round loss in the 2010 NAB AFL Under 16 Championships in the best possible way by defeating Northern Territory by 35 points on Wednesday at Bruce Purser Reserve.
The RAMS overcame a slow start to the match, where they trailed by 11 points at quarter-time, to kick 13 of the next 18 goals to ensure they remain in the hunt of winning the Championships.
It was a fantastic overall team performance which got the side over the line against a very skilful opponent, with Jackson Dwyer staring with four goals.
Northern Territory threatened to run away with the match in the opening quarter as the side took advantage of their goal scoring opportunities, including a 60 metre goal from Sam Autio.
To the RAMS’ credit they didn’t give up and an after the siren goal in the opening term was the spark the team needed to ensure they were back to their hard running best.
With Lonnie Hampton (20 possessions and two goals) finding plenty of the ball and Harry Butchart (three goals) a presence up forward the side started to get reward for their effort to run out 15.8.98 to 9.9.63 winners.
The RAMS started the match on the back-foot as Northern Territory kicked the opening two goals of the match. The home team responded with a goal of their own before the 189 centre-metre Sam Autio started to find plenty of the ball in the forward-50 for the opposition.
Trailing by 11 points heading into the second quarter, the RAMS were determined to improve on their first term performance and they did exactly that, kicking the first six goals before Northern Territory pinned one back late in the quarter.
The visitors returned from the halftime break a new-look side with their swift ball movement and silky skills through the middle of the ground turning a few heads on the sidelines.
The RAMS’ defence held strong and withstood the pressure from Northern Territory to head into the last quarter with an 18 point lead.
In an impressive fourth quarter the RAMS continued to work hard and were rewarded with a further four goals for the match to run out 35 point winners.
The RAMS’ next match is against the World XVIII on Saturday at Blacktown Olympic Park at 2:15pm. The World team has been very impressive in their opening two matches and they will most likely have a few talent scouts interested in their final match on Saturday.
NSW/ACT: 2.3 8.3 11.7 15.8 (98)
NT: 4.2 5.4 8.7 9.9 (63)
GOALS
NSW/ACT: J. Dwyer 4, H. Butchart 3, L. Hampton 2, D. Robinson 2, S. Wray 1, Z. Hopper 1, J. Redfern 1
NT: S. Autio 3, M. Cubis 2, B. McLean 1, J. Wilson 1, M. Duffy 1, J. Neade 1
