RAMS return to the winners’ list

The NSW/ACT RAMS have quickly bounced back to the winners’ list in the NAB AFL Under-16 Championships defeating South Pacific by 21 points at Bruce Purser Reserve today.

NSW/ACT dominated the possession count (291 to 217) and marks (69 to 30) while they improved their accuracy in front of goal to record a hard-fought 12.6 (78) to 8.9 (57) victory.

Their opponents, who have travelled from countries such as Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand for the event, threw their bigger bodies around but credit to the RAMS they withstood the pressure to remain in the hunt to win this year’s championships.

Lloyd Perris was again among the best for the third game in a row with 30 disposals and 12 marks while Sam Clyne was equally impressive with three goals among his 26 touches.

Michael Gibbons was also influential for the RAMS with 29 possessions, four tackles and three clearances so too was Finley ruckman Fraser Hawkins with 12 hit-outs.

It was a different start than normal to the match with South Pacific performing the haka, a traditional dance which helps to pump-up the team, in front of the RAMS before the opening bounce.

The RAMS remained focused though and started the match superbly, leading from start to finish, courtesy of a 21-point opening quarter highlighted by accurate kicking for goal.

South Pacific used their strength and bigger bodies to their advantage in the second term as they started to win the contested possessions, clearances and tackles to reduce the margin to 16 points at half-time.

In a tightly contested third term, the RAMS again withstood South Pacific’s relentless attack on the football as they got themselves well and truly back into the contest with only 10 points separating the two sides at three-quarter-time.

An early fourth-quarter goal to the RAMS was the spark they needed as they piled on six goals to four in the final term to claim a hard-fought 21-point victory.

The RAMS will now face Northern Territory on Saturday at Blacktown International Sportspark. The match starts at 12.05pm.

All of the news and results from the NAB AFL Championships can be found at www.aflnswact.com.au. The RAMS can also be followed on Twitter @NSWACT_Rams.  

NSW/ACT 12.6 (78) defeated South Pacific 8.9 (57)
GOALS
NSW/ACT: Clyne 3, Perris 2, Clothier 2, Gibbons, Van Luenen, Potter, Steele, Pola-Smith
BEST
NSW/ACT: Clyne, Hawkins, Gibbons, Perris, Van Luenen, Ryan, Clothier