With the Grand Final just a drop punt away, both senior teams preparation is almost complete for the "big ones" on Saturday at Blacktown International SportsPark. With the Grand Final Breakfast to be held at 9:00 AM at the red Cow, players, officials and supporters will head to Blacktown on this historic day.
See PDF below for match day programme "Sydney AFL record" also available in hard copy at the ground.
Match Preview
Reserve Grade V Moorebank Sports Magpies at Blacktown 1:10 PM
After 20 long years, Penrith Rams Reserve Grade have given themselves the opportunity to record the club’s first ever premiership flag in this grade. On Saturday, the team takes on Moorebank Sports Magpies in the 2011 Sydney AFL Division Four Grand Final. It has been a wonderful season for the “two’s”, winning 13 of their 15 games with their only conqueror, Macquarie University, bowing out of the race last weekend in their loss to Saturday’s opponents, Moorebank. Head Coach, Kevin Tate along with assistants Michael Bottrill and Brendan Roberts will be cautiously confident of victory with the team on Saturday, but realise that the opposition, who lost on Grand Final day last year, will be out to cause an upset.
The Magpies have had a somewhat rollercoaster ride in 2011, finishing third in the “home and away” season with 9 wins. Mid-season injuries, defence deployments and unavailabilities had them fighting for a finals spot before a late resurgence saw them finish the season strongly including a massive win over Mac Uni in Round 14 by 12 goals. They fell short by just three points to that side in the first semi but with the second bite of the cherry, overcame UTS by 10 points to make the preliminary final where they accounted for the Warriors by 22 points to gain entry into their second successive Div 4 grand final. With no less than 14 of their players experiencing playing in their Div 2 side during the season in last week’s win, the Rams will need to perform at their absolute best to take home the flag.
The Rams outstanding season has been testament to all the players who have worked so hard this year for the success. 51 players have been utilised during the year to get this far, yet unfortunately only 22 can be selected for the last game of the year. Credit goes to all those who have been a part of the journey this season. Penrith now face up in this last encounter against the first team they played this year when the side travelled to Monarch Oval to host the Magpies. That game saw many new players take the field and it was the Moorebank side that led until the final minute when Penrith finished in a flurry to record a heart stopping five point win. About ten Rams players from that day will take the field on Saturday.
Penrith’s lead up to the Grand Final has been impressive. Since their nine point loss at Greygums in round 16, they quickly bounced back, recording good wins against finalists UTS by 50 points at home and then had no trouble in accounting for Uni NSW by 76 points at Village Green. With a week off due to a minor premiership, Penrith then played the major semi-final against second placed Macquarie University at Rosedale and finally scored their first win this season over the hot premiership favourites with a convincing 44 point victory in a physical battle that saw the bench empty by the end of play. Penrith will have about eight players who played in the two grand finals of 2010 and the team will be primed to finish off the season on a high.
Supporters are strongly encouraged to get down to Blacktown on Saturday and cheer on the side with the opening bounce scheduled for 1:10 PM.
![](https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v342/sherbs_fow/Rams%20-%20Other/91GF.jpg)
Michael Walker (left) with Geoff Eldering holding the 1991 Premiership Shield.
First Grade V Balmain Dockers at Blacktown 3:30 PM
It has been a 20 year wait for a First Grade flag for the Penrith Rams. Last season the side went so close to victory on Grand Final Day before succumbing to Moorebank at Blacktown in Division Three. It has been an outstanding season for the team and club overall. After last year’s loss, the Penrith Board made a lengthy submission to the league to be promoted to Div 2 which was granted, with the Rams being the only club gaining promotion without winning a flag. The promotion saw a big challenge by the club to be a competitive force in the higher grade. Recruitment was strong with former Rams Jay Edwards, Nathan Wright and Dale Chivas returning to the club from Premier Division clubs to help the quest for success, along with Jimmy Denton (East Coast) and Brad Redfern (Holroyd-Parramatta). These players, along with a handful of last year’s successful Under 18’s premiership team have formed a strong nucleus with last season’s Grand Finalists in getting to play the ultimate game of the year.
On Saturday at Blacktown, the Rams face their biggest challenge yet when the confront Balmain in the 3:30 PM match at Blacktown International SportsPark. Balmain will be out to complete a fairytale season, after finishing fifth in the competition with 11 wins. In the first round clash at Drummoyne Oval in May, Penrith led until the final quarter until a six goal bag by the Dockers saw them snatch victory. Penrith returned the compliment at Greygums in Round 12 after a titanic first half battle saw an even game, but the Rams were all too aware of the Balmain fighting qualities and put in an outstanding final half in recording a 10 goal win and not allowing the Dockers a single goal in the second half. Following that game, Balmain was unable to record a victory at their next three outings and then recorded two unconvincing wins to finish the home and away season. However, finals football has seen Balmain get back to their best. In the elimination final, they knocked out a strong Auburn team by five points in a brutal and sometimes spiteful match. The following week they kept their season going with an annihilation of early season favourites, Sydney University with a 63 point win. Their run continued last week when they downed Holroyd-Parramatta by just a straight kick after coming from 20 points down.
Minor Premiers Penrith goes into the big one on an eight game winning streak. Coaches Geoff Payne and Craig Sharp tasted success on this day last year with the undefeated Under 18’s Challenge Cup squad and have again done a magnificent job with this year’s squad. Since losing to the Goanna’s in Round 10, the team has certainly bounced back recording easy wins until the first semi when they came from behind to beat the luckless Goanna’s at Rosedale Oval. With the team at near full strength, expectation will be high. With 15 players having grand final experience from last year in both first grade and under 18’s, it should auger well for the match. A win would be a sweet victory for three attendees still actively involved in the club who were part of the 1991 premiership in life members Michael Walker, Dave Nolan and Jason Makin whilst club founder Keith Claxton will be making the trek from the South Coast to witness the historic day
![](https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v342/sherbs_fow/Rams%20-%20Other/89GF1.jpg)
The Rams celebrate following their 1989 Grand Final victory
Team Selections
First Grade v Balmain Dockers at Blacktown - 3:30 PM
Players to be at ground by 2:00 PM - Teal Shorts
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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Reserve Grade V Moorebank Sports Magpies at 1:10 PM
Players to be at ground by 11:50 AM - Teal Shorts
Adam West |
Jason Bradley |
Tayt Corless |
Nathan Gatt |
Cameron Butler |
Matthew Lewis |
Mark Jackson |
Christian Knight |
Aaron Goodwin |
Chris Manuel |
Craig Ives |
Brad Pathuis |
Steve Hull |
Alex Henry |
Nic Collimore |
Sam Lockhart |
Jack Ponton |
Jason Jackson |
Nathan Rowley |
Gordon Howell |
Jake Sultana |
Christian Triffitt |
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Emergencies: |
Alan Prowse |
Matt O'Connor |
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Last Modified on 19/10/2011 16:46