Penrith Rams senior teams head to Rosedale Oval at Warwick Farm on Saturday to commence their quest for premiership flags. The dual minor premierships earned by the teams now becomes a noble achievement from the past as they prepare to launch their attack on the "Big Prize".
Reserve Grade kick off the campaign at 1:00 PM when they take on Macquarie University Warriors whilst at 3:10 PM, First Grade take the field for the major semi clash against Holroyd-Parramatta Goannas.
Match Previews
Despite finishing on top of the home and away ladder for 2011 with 13 wins and two losses, Penrith are regarded as slight underdogs when they meet with Mac Uni Warriors at Rosedale Oval on Saturday in the major semi-final clash. Their only two losses this year have been against the Warriors. Their first meeting at University Oval in May's round 5 clash produced a see-sawing battle with the Rams having a half time lead but a collapse in the third term gave the Uni team a big lead which the Rams couldn't overcome in their 22 point defeat. The teams went into battle again on July 30 in round 16 at Greygums Oval and another tight battle saw the Rams hit the lead in the third quarter before the Warriors struck back in the final term to record a nine point win.
Penrith were impressive since that loss with a 50 point win against finals side UTS at Trumper Park and a final win against finals contenders, Uni NSW Bulldogs at Village Green by 76 points to grab the seasons minor honours. The Warriors have also impressed at the pointy end of the season. A technical loss in round 17 to Manly was followed up by a 112 point walloping of Auburn before they fought out a tough three point win in the semi-final last week at Henson Park against pre-season favourites, Moorebank last Saturday.
A strong team is expected to be selected for the big match but Mac Uni also have a wealth of talent to choose from and the Rams will need to give no quarter if they want to progress straight into the Sept 10 Grand Final. The loser of the match will get a second chance the following week at Henson Park when they will face up to the winner of the Moorebank-UTS game to be played at Gipps Rd on Sunday.
It has been a stellar season for the First Grade team but they will go into the 3:10 PM match knowing that it will be the toughest match of the year when they play Holroyd-Parramatta Goannas. In the first encounter in May, the Rams were all over the Goannas in recording a 52 point win at Greygums Oval after the Rams held a slim four point lead at half time. The teams both met again at Henson Park a month later in round 10 in windy conditions and the expected tight match didn't eventuate as the Goanna slammed Penrith with an embarrassing 62 point trouncing to record their fourth straight win. They went on to win their next six before a last round loss to Sydney Uni by five points. The Goannas made amends for that loss the following week with a 15 point win over the Students last week at Henson Park. The Rams bounced back quickly after their loss to the Goannas recording big wins against their next seven opponents including a 34 point win against Sydney Uni.
As in the Reserve Grade game, the winner goes through to the September 10 Grand Final at Blacktown whilst the loser faces sudden death the following week at Henson Park when they play the winner of the Balmain-Sydney Uni match to be played at Gipps Rd this Sunday. Coach Geoff Payne is expected to name a strong squad for the match at Rosedale in what promises to be a sensational match against the two Western Sydney outfits.
Rams supporters are strongly encouraged to get to the ground and give vocal support to both sides competing on the day and head back to sponsors, Red Cow Inn, after the match.
Penrith Rams would like to thank the outstanding support from their major sponsors IGA, IceBreak, Goulburn valley, MD Brick and of course the Red Cow Inn as well as the various player sponsors who have made the season a great one so far for the Penrith club.
Check out this week's edition of the Sydney AFL Football recors in the attachment below.
Reserve Grade V Macquarie University Warriors - 1:00 PM - Rosedale Oval
Players to be at ground by 12:00 PM - Teal Shorts - Full club attire - Home sheds
Adam West |
Jason Bradley |
Tayt Corless |
Nathan Gatt |
Cameron Butler |
Matthew Lewis |
Mark Jackson |
Christian Knight |
Aaron Goodwin |
Chris Manuel |
Craig Ives |
Brad Pathuis |
Nathan White (c) |
Jake Clark |
Nic Collimore |
Sam Lockhart |
Jack Ponton |
Jason Jackson |
Nathan Rowley |
Gordon Howell |
Jake Sultana |
Christian Triffitt |
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Emergencies: |
Alex Henry |
Baron Savanah |
Alan Prowse |
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Players, coaching staff, managers, runners will have their name at the gate for free entry
First Grade V Holroyd-Parramatta Goannas - 3:10 PM - Rosedale Oval
Players to be at ground by 2:00 PM - Teal Shorts - full club attire - Home sheds
Nathan Allison |
Josh Anasis |
David Bradley (c) |
Tim Cummins |
James Denton |
Jay Edwards |
Tom Hall |
John Keane |
Luke O'Connor |
Matthew Payne |
Blake Roberts |
Bryce Roney |
Daniel Schroot |
Adam Sharp |
Mark Woodford |
Nathan Wright |
Brad Redfern |
Ben Robinson |
Jake Shelley |
Dale Chivas (vc) |
Harley Stibbard |
Mitch Reinhard |
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Players, coaching staff, managers, runners will have their name at the gate for free entry
Last Modified on 19/10/2011 16:05