Match Preview
Penrith Rams celebrate the first matches of winter with the annual "Past Players Day" at Dukes Oval, Emu Plains on Saturday June 4 and there is no better foes to face than traditional rivals, Nor-West Jets in both the senior matches.
The 18's kick off proceedings at 10:00 AM and will be looking to get back on track for a possible finals berth. Last week they could not match the might of North Shore and the previous week suffered somewhat of a surprise loss against Illawarra where a slow start cost them dearly. However, they will be looking back to the win at Greygums against the previously undefeated Riverview and a repeat of that effort should see them go close when they face Western Suburbs Magpies. The loss of captain Liam Murphy (out for two weeks) is a blow to the side but the return from injury of Jackson Swarbrick will show the Magpies they have a tough match on their plate. Wests looked good with wins at their opening two matches against St George and Uni NSW. Although winless since, they have taken top teams, Sydney Uni and North Shore to the wire and were impressive despite going down by five goals to Sydney Uni last week.
Reserve Grade hit the paddock at 12:00 PM against traditional foes, Nor-West Jets. The Jets have certainly had the wood over Penrith at this level in recent years but there is a big likelyhood that this will be reversed on Saturday. The Rams got out of jail last week against Manly where only a five goal haul in the final stages of the game saw them snatch an unlikely victory. Thaty was their 6th win from 7 matches so far this year and holds second spot on the ladder. The Jets, fanatically coached by colourful football identity, Peter Kyle are looking to avenge last week's poor showing to Auburn in their surprise loss after their previous win against Manly. Kyle rates a win against Penrith higher than an Essendon flag, free beer for life and a weekend alone with the Dallas Cowgirls and will certainly have his troops primed for this match. Coach Kevin Tate is quietly confident of a win, however which sees eight changes from last week with the rotation system in place.
First Grade hit the stage at 2:10 PM in what should be a very tough affair. After a sluggish start to the season losing three of their first four games, Nor-West have hit their straps and grabbed the points at their last three starts. After predictable wins against Manly and Moorebank, they caused a major surprise when they travelled to Sydney Uni and gave the previously undefeated students a 41 point lesson. Astute Jets coach, Gavin Bull, knows how to prime a team and expose weaknesses and will be looking to sour the Past Players day for the Rams, who are also on a three match winning streak. With three key players in Matt Payne, Jake Shelley and Mitch Renehan out for this match, the Rams will not be able to relax at any stage. Lapses of concentration have cost the team in their losses against Sydney Uni and Balmain. The team however, is buoyed by the return of backman Brad Redfern, midfielder James Denton and forward Tim Cummins. Cummins will be looking to add a few more majors to his tally and the recent form of Dale Chivas and Ben Robinson with their kicking boots on should provide great entertainment when the ball travels to their domain.
Players, past and present, are invited along with families, friends and supporters to attend the post match function at the Red Cow in the evening to celebrate 30 years of the Rams history. The casual function will be held upstairs with meals, drinks and great service from the Cow's friendly staff available along with some yarns and footage on the screens of past big matches.
First Grade V Nor-West Jets at 2:10 PM at Dukes Oval
**Players to wear teal shorts and be at ground by 1:00 PM.
Nathan Allison |
Josh Anasis |
Dave Bradley (c) |
Dale Chivas (vc) |
Tom Hall |
Jay Edwards |
Brad Redfern |
Tim Cummins |
Jacob Clarke |
Mitch Reinhard |
James Denton |
Ben Robinson |
Bryce Roney |
Daniel Schroot |
Adam Sharp |
John Keane |
Nic Collimore |
John Spicer |
Harley Stibbard |
Adam West |
Mark Woodford |
Nathan Wright |
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Reserve Grade V Nor-West Jets at 12:00 PM at Dukes Oval
**Players to be at ground by 11:00 AM - Teal Shorts
Cameron Butler |
Matthew Lewis |
Jason Bradley |
Josh Chapple |
Luke O'Connor |
Tayt Corless |
Nathan Gatt |
Brad Pathuis |
Gordon Howell |
Alan Prowse |
Hamish Mulligan |
Mark Jackson |
Alex Rogers |
Chris Manuel |
Matt O'Connor |
Chris Scanlon |
Nathan Rowley |
Jake Sultana |
Christian Triffitt |
Christian Knight |
Nathan White (c) |
Stuart Ayres |
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Emergencies: Brent Venables, Paul Borsato, Jason Jackson
BBQ/Canteen Duties 9:45 till 11:00 Gordon Howell, Josh Chapple.2:00 till 3:15 Matt O'Connor, Luke O'Connor
Under 18's V Western Suburbs Magpies at 10:00 AM at Dukes Oval
**Players to be at ground by 8:45 AM and assist in ground setup- Teal Shorts
Ben Priest |
Ben Mayer |
Ben McGovern |
Aaron McGee |
Harrison Doyle |
Brayden Wilson |
David Looyschelder |
Greg Major |
George Paneras |
Luke Jones |
Jack Ponton |
Brendan Reed |
James Devlin |
Shaun Stevens |
Josh Jenner |
Jackson Swarbrick |
Tom Noble |
Hayden Strong |
Matthew Purse |
Cameron Forrest |
Rick Ooms |
Nick Adams |
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BBQ/Canteen Duties - 12:30 PM till 1:45 Brendan Reed, Aaron McGee, Hayden Strong
Emergencies: Billy Nicholson, Will Taylor, Tim Cullen. Emergencies required at ground with their gear.
Last Modified on 27/06/2011 17:26