Penrith Rams completed their Home and Away season at the world class Gwawley Park tip on Saturday with a big win in the Under 18's in the 1 v 2 clash, a narrow loss by the Reserves finishing their best season for 28 years and a stunning "come from behind" win in the First Grade fixture after being six goals down with just a quarter to go.
First Grade V Southern Power at Gwawley Park
The final match of the 2010 "Home and Away" fixture at Gwawley Beach was never a match to get excited about. Despite the fact it was a 3 v 4 clash, both teams had the assurance that their finals spots were secure and a loss to the Rams would not affect their high finish in this year’s competition.
With Under 18's "Ranga", Gordon Howell being a late inclusion to fill spot number 22 after securing a win in the earlier fixture, the team lost the toss after a bad call of the coin by captain Lachie Smith and Penrith were forced to kick into the extremely strong and swirling wind. It was all the Power in the first quarter as they tried to erase the memory of their previous drubbing at Greygums Oval earlier in the season. The constant barrage saw them dominate and only inaccuracy with a 3.6 term allowed the Rams, able only to post a single point, to face a 23 point deficit. However, with the wind giving a 4-5 goal advantage, Penrith were still well in the match and eagerly awaited their opportunity for the second quarter to get things back on track.
Things didn't quite go to plan, however, as the expected revival was negated early by another Power six pointer. Penrith responded with three majors but another goal to their opponents saw the home team actually obtain more scoring shots in the term and go to the sheds with a rather commanding nineteen point lead at the big break.
In a rather subdued dressing shed address, coach Kevin Tate told the team there was no need for panic, to just play the basics that had got them to an impressive record during the year. This group has thrived in 2010 with positives and the confidence that every player on the field is a vital cog in the machine and can be completely trusted once the pill comes their way.
With the Power set to put the knife in with the wind bellowing at their backs, they were able to post another four goals (3 behinds) as they extended their winning break. Two Penrith goals helped them retain a glimmer of hope but the third session ended with the Rams needing to kick more points than they had achieved in the previous three quarters to be a hope of pulling off an unlikely victory.
Tate was quietly confident that with a final quarter re-shuffle, that the team could open up the game and provide a preview for next Sunday's elimination final against the same team. If any bookmakers were fielding on the game, they would have posted any old odds about a Rams victory and would have been confident of taking the money. The six goal deficit was quickly reduced as the visitors set alight from the opening bounce with the midfield taking control. One by one the Rams pegged back the deficit and by the fifteen minute mark, had the scores evenly locked as the Southerners could find no answer. Another two goals in the final five minutes saw the jubilant Penrith team post an amazing victory against the odds with a stunning eight goal final quarter with the team assembling in the middle of the beach to bellow out the most impressive rendition of the club song all season.
Almost two hours earlier, captain Smith made a wrong call in the call of the toss. It was his only bad call of the day as he led the team in magnificent style and once again fills his pantry with the "IGA Signature" Award. Lachie's faith and commitment to the "New Look Rams" has been an inspiration to the club this year and the respected number 27 26 is now eagerly looking to the challenge of the weeks ahead. Max McNamara has had an outstanding debut season with the club and has been a wonderful acquisition. Max has put the same fear into his opponents as he does in the off season to opening batsmen as fast bowler for the Penrith Cricket Club which saw his team take out the prestigious Poidevin-Gray Shield earlier this season. He is able to sit back and enjoy a few quiet drinks this week as recipient of the "Red Cow Inn" Award. It wouldn't be a weekly wrap up without mentioning Dave "Braddles" Bradley who showed his outstanding skills once again. The change of surface from turf to sand this week didn't affect his gait and he posted yet another dominant display. Similar could be said about Nathan Allison whose tireless performance is always an inspiration to those around him. Sam Lockhart provided strength and dominance in the backline whilst Blake Roberts proved a sensation up front.
With thirteen wins for the season, it has equalled the performance of the 1991 team and the best in the clubs history. 1991 saw the clubs last senior flag. The fight to repeat that effort of 19 years ago now starts in earnest with the elimination semi against Southern Power at Henson Park next Sunday at 12:30 PM. All supporters are strongly encouraged to take the trek to Marrickville for this important clash
Penrith Rams 13.7-85 def Southern Power 10.13-73
Goal Kickers: B. Roberts 3, J. Anasis 2, L. Smith , B. Pathuis , R. Johnson , T. Corless , B. Robinson , T. Cummins , A. Savanah , D. Siljanoski
Best Players: L. Smith, M. McNamara, D. Bradley, N. Allison, S. Lockhart, B. Roberts
Reserve Grade V Southern Power at Gwawley Park
It has been a great season for the Rams Reserve Grade side, with the record books telling us that you have to go back 28 years to 1982 to see a better record for the season. With eleven wins on the table, the team headed to the sandy enclave of Gwawley Park to take on Southern Power in their final match of the year. A win would propel them to equal second spot on the ladder, but weirdly still would have missed a spot in the finals series.
With captain Daniel Barnes leading the team out for his milestone 200th game, the Rams faced a tough essay as they ran into a very strong wind. A polished performance saw them restrict their opponents to just a single goal, whilst they booted one of their own, going to the first break with just a four point deficit.
Unfortunately, a lack of discipline saw them squander opportunities with the wind at their backs and they were unable to post a single point in the second term. A couple of 50 metre free kicks allowed Power to boot two of their own and Penrith faced seventeen point deficit at the major break.
The Rams took the initiative again in quarter three against the flow of play to record a four goal term and with just two goals required to catch up to their opponents with a breeze at their backs, looked likely to record a win.
The final quarter saw a real arm-wrestle with Penrith slowly gaining the upper hand. The Rams were able to edge to a three point lead with just a few minutes left on the clock but a Southern Power free in their backline saw a long movement result in a match winning goal with Penrith falling just three points short of their opponents.
Although disappointed at the result for their final 2010 match, they can hold their heads very high with their achievements for the season. Senior coach, Kevin Tate, addressed the side post match, negating any negative comments made at the time. With a number of quality players hopefully moving up from the Under 18's next year, the strength of the club is expected to reach big heights as the Rams positive transformation continues forge ahead in the future years.
Christian Triffitt again took the honours for best on ground in a sparkling display of football under difficult conditions. Brent Venable played his best match for a while with a committed display of fearless football despite constantly being under pressure along with the electric performance again of Seltene Yohannes, who has had a wonderful debut season. Veterans Jason Ware (2 goals) and Jon Barry (1 goal) played significant roles in the performance with Jakeman King-Smith providing much needed relief in the backline. Grant Kean deserves a special mention for the "Goal of the Year" with an impossible kick from the boundary somehow finding the twelve inch visible gap between the big sticks.
The club is very proud of the Reserves record this year. An amazing 73 players have been a part of this team in 2010 and each and every one of them deserves accolades. Well done guys. Bring on 2010
Penrith Rams 6.4-40 def by Southern Power 6.7-43
Goal Kickers: J. Ware 2, J. Barry , M. Jackson , J. Bradley , G. Kean
Best Players: C. Triffitt, J. Ware, B. Venables, J. Barry, S. Yohannes, J. King-Smith
Under 18's V Southern Power at Gwawley Park
Both senior teams have written themselves in the club history book this year with outstanding seasons. With the Firsts having their best record since 1991 and the Reserves since 1982 it is a special achievement of the 18's in their record making undefeated record of 16 from 16 that has surpassed the previous record of the 2001 premiership team who recorded 15 wins in the Home and Away Series on their way to the flag.
The young Rams travelled to Gwawley Park on Saturday for the 8:30 clash with second placed Southern Power in what would be a prelude to next Saturday's major semi-final clash. In the previous clash at Greygums, Penrith asserted their superiority with a 119 point win in round 12, following the Powers forfeit in the opening round of the season. With some injuries in the squad in recent weeks, Penrith again called on the services of 15 year old Emu Plains/Glenmore Park Lions junior, Chris Nolan and welcomed the return from injury of Rick Ooms.
A fairly even first term with Penrith running into the strengthening breeze saw the visitors run a 3.3 quarter with Power adding 1.1 of their own. As the clock struck nine, the Rams opened up and added another six goals and restricted their opponents to just a single point to have a handy break of fifty one as the teams retired to the sheds. A few minor adjustments were made in the team during the break but it was evident that the team was thinking of their finals match the following week.
Again running into the breeze in the third quarter, the team allowed their opponents another goal but were able to stack on three on their side of the ledger to have an unassailable lead with the final 20 minutes looming before finals time.
Seemingly in cruise control, the boys finished off their days work with a 5.5 quarter in recording a ninety six point victory and falling just a single point short of 2000 points for the season.
Adam Sharp was again sensational in the middle with top ruck work and pin point disposals with discipline and maturity beyond his years. Matty Payne, who has played along Adam for more than half their lifetimes, also put in an awesome display. Surely this duo know what the other is eating for breakfast, lunch and dinner as they ran their rival ragged. Former Blue Mountains junior, Harley Stiibbard was again exceptional and last year’s co Best and fairest is sure to make an impact in the coming weeks. Hayden Strong and Shaun Stevens continue to impress with their confident displays week in week out and Captain Daniel Schroot again led by example continually turning his opposing number inside out.
Congratulations to young Full Forward Ben McGovern took the kicking honours with a bag of seven to see him top the Sydney AFL 18's list with 79 goals in his 12 matches this year, an outstanding achievement. Schroot fired in another three whilst unselfish forward John Spicer chimed in with another three. These players finished sixth and seventh respectively in the Sydney goal honours.
It is now up to coaches Craig and Geoff to get the team prepared for Saturday's match at Henson Park again against the Power. A win would propel them into a Grand Final berth at Blacktown Olympic Park on September 11.
Penrith Rams 17.10-112 def Southern Power 2.2-16
Goal Kickers: B. McGovern 7, D. Schroot 3, J. Spicer 3, S. Stevens , G. Howell , M. Payne , L. Simmons
Best Players: A. Sharp, H. Stibbard, M. Payne, H. Strong, S. Stevens, D. Schroot
Last Modified on 13/11/2010 16:01