After a few days of heavy rain, football looked in grave doubt until the sun shone through on the Friday preceding round three.
The opening round of the "celebrity" team, the Ramettes, was scheduled for Mona Park against Auburn Tigers, but with the ground closure was transferred to Monarch Oval at Macquarie Fields. The team had a meeting on Wednesday, after training was cancelled due to the heavy rain and set a target of kicking four goals in their clash against Auburn, who were 1-0 after their opening win against UTS Shamrocks. Two trial matches against strong opposition had seen the girls unable to kick a goal, so it was a quite ambitious target.
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Captain Kirstie Burcher win the toss in the Ramettes first ever match at Monarch Oval
A few late withdrawals saw the team reduced to 20 players as they arrived at a sodden Monarch Oval. Monarch is regarded as the biggest ground in Sydney AFL and the match looked likely to be a very low scoring affair. In the opening minutes, the ramettes got the better of play with Kate Easthope having first opportunity to goal but the shot went wide for a behind. Soon after, Nat Camilleri, one of many playing their first game, wrote herself into the history books with the teams first ever goal. The Tigers fought back and grabbed the next two, before Easthope went one better with her next kick to add the second six-pointer to the tally. A late Auburn goal saw them go to a narrow 6 point lead at the fisrt break.
Auburn started to open the game up in the second quarter with elite player Kirrily Boyd causing havoc and being the mastermind of their three goals scored in the quarter. Penrith however, were going hard into the contest and withstood the attack with Camilleri posting her second, the teams going to the sheds with Auburn extending their lead to 18.
Enthusiasm was high at the break with coaches John Rix and Jake Sultana full of praise at the commitment and endeavour under the tough conditions. The team was aware of the Tigers key players that needed to be controlles, Stephanie Kostic putting up her hand quickly to play on Boyd as the play resumed in the third session. It was an arm-wrestle for the next twenty minutes with Auburn collecting 1.1 whilst Kayla Badger put a nice kick between the big sticks in reply. Defence was the story as both teams went hard at the ball. A serious knee injury saw vice-captain Vanessa Geisler carried from the field in agony as her day ended after a sterling performance. Auburn took the quarter by a single point to lead by 19.
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The final twenty minutes saw some sparkling moments from both teams with Auburn grabbing three goals and it was the young guns Lauren Bozic and Sarah Rowley who joined in the action with a goal apiece. The more experinced Tigers running out 25 point winners to keep their unbeaten record intact.
The club, supporters and support staff on the day were treated to a mighty effort by the new kids on the block who put on a magnificent performance. Natalie Camilleri was sensational in the mid-field, taking great grabs and running all game. Kate Easthope celebrated her recent birthday with a fine debut along with the dynamic "pocket rocket" Jess Noble who flung herself at her bigger opponents. Fran Fitting was excellent in the ruck, putting good hits on whilst Ashley Grosas and Sarah Rowley got better as the game progressed, Sarah, sister of Rams player Nathan, edging to the lead in the family goalkicking hall of fame. But it was indeed a real 20 "guy" team effort and not a single player left anything in the tank on the day.
Next week, the team heads to Dukes Oval to take on a strong side in Uni NSW on Sunday to continue their football journey
Penrith Ramettes 2.1 3.1 4.2 6.3-39 def by Auburn Tigers 3.1 6.2 7.3 10.4-64
Goal Kickers: N. Camilleri 2, K. Badger , S. Rowley , L. Bozic , K. Easthope
Best Players: N. Camilleri, K. Easthope, J. Noble, A. Grosas, S. Rowley, Z. McDonagh
The third grade side headed to Mahoney Park at Marrickville to take on a strong UTS Bats outfit. The bats had fought out a thrilling draw with Uni NSW in round one and received a win with a forfeit in round two.
Penrith were resuming from a three week layoff after their round 1 loss to Camden and a few late changes on the morning of the match were made. Coach Jason Makin's team included a wide mix of players including club stalwarts Jason Ware, Stuart Ayres, Brendon Leyshon, Alan Prowse and Brendan Ridges along with nine first year players.
The Bats controlled play in the first twenty minutes and raced to a 24 point lead. The Penrith structure worked better in the second term equaling their frst quarter score to have 256 points on the board but UTS had raced to a 39 point lead at the big break.
The Bats experience showed in the third quarter with good defence keeping the visitors at bay and not being able to add to their score whilst the home side added 2.8 to pinch what would be a winning break. The final quarter saw the game break open with 10 goals added to the board, Penrith taking four of them including a sensational mark by Rams personality, A;lan Prowse, who took a sensational mark in front and duly converted to take the team kicking honours for the day with a treble.
Scott Randall had a sensational day in just his second match and was right in the thick of things all match. He and Matt Warbrick (1 goal), another rookie who greatly impressed, will be knocking at the door of higher selection in the coming weeks. Veteran 300 + gamer Jason Ware (1 goal) was all over the ground in his return match after a seasons layoff whilst Gordon Howell and Alan Prowse both went in hard. It was a pleasing return also for Brendan Ridges after a lengthy layoff from the game with a 100% committed effort. Other scorers were Jonathon Barry, Stuart Ayres and Mitch Reinhard, who played well after coming off a tough all night shift whilst another first year player, Aaron Anderson also contributed with his first AFL goal.
Next week the team will be looking for their first win when they take on the strong Moorebank Outfit at Dukes Oval at 1 PM on Sunday.
Penrith Rams 2.1 4.2 4.2 8.3-51 def by UTS Bats 6.6 9.11 13.90 19.20-134
Goal Kickers: A. Prowse 3, S. Ayres , J. Barry , M. Reinhard , A. Anderson , J. Ware
Best Players: S. Randall, M. Warbrick, J. Ware, G. Howell, A. Prowse, B. Ridges
On a foggy Sunday morning, the remaing three teams headed to the picturesque Village Green at University of NSW. The Under 18's started the days proceedings where they faced a very tall Bulldogs squad. With only a half a dozen second year eighteens and three Under 16's players called up, it was going to be a difficult task for the young Rams.
The opening few minutes saw Liam Davey suffer a badly broken arm which required an ambulance to transport him to nearby RPA hospital. The Bulldogs took control with a 6.4 quarter as the rams struggled to combat the size and speed of the home side. Another seven unanswered goals by the Uni kids saw the score blow out to an 86 point lead at the major break.
The Rams to their credit gelled in the third term with James Devlin booting Penrith's first major after some fine lead up work and he added his second for the day in the final qauarter. But it was to be the Bulldogs day as they cruised to a 123 point victory and showed that after their first round win over last years premiers, Riverview, that they will be a big force in this years competition,
Matt Purse was outstanding on the day and led the side by example. Former Emu Plains Lions star, Pat Pope, joined the team midweek and showed he had lost none of his junior skills after a long layoff from the game. James Devlin and Sam Hunt worked tirelessly all day with James booting a double whilst Harry Doyle and young Jack Noble proved real workhorses. The clubs thoughts are with Liam Davey and wish him a speedy recovery.
Next Saturday, the team travels to Picken Oval to play Western Suburbs Magpies with both teams looking to open up their 2012 account in what should be an even contest.
Penrith Rams 0.1 0.2 1.2 2.4-16 def by Uni NSW Bulldogs 6.4 13.10 16.13 20.19-139
Goal Kickers: J. Devlin 2
Best Players: M. Purse, P. Pope, J. Devlin, S. Hunt, J. Noble, H. Doyle
The following match at Village Green saw the Rams undefeatedreserve grade side take on a strong Uni NSW side that hasd seen them recover from a narrow loss in Round 1 to UTS to record a big win last week against Holroyd-Parramatta. Late changes saw coach Bottrill with a phone to his ear most of Saturday night and Sunday morning but maneged to complete the squad of 22.
The Bulldogs looked the sharper side in the opening term, racing away to a three goal lead early in the match against a rather lethargic Rams. Penrith got back into the match with two late goals and were probably fortunate to only being 13 points down at the first break. The game came to life in the second quarter with Penrith working the midfield better and hitting some targets with four majors against the Dogs double and it was the home side hanging onto a slender one point lead as the teams went to the sheds.
A very even third session saw the ball move from end to end but a few lost opportunities resulted in the visitors kicking 2.3 against Uni's 3.3, leaving a seven point game as the final 22 minutes loomed. Two quick Uni goals shocked the Rams in the rfinal quarter, and the Rams seemed to drop their heads with the momentum swinging the way of the Dogs. It was pretty well one way traffic as the Dogs piled on a seven goal quarter whilst Penrith converted their only two shots to go down by a misleading 40 points.
The Div 4 competition is now a real competition with six teams on even points on top of the ladder. Penrith retain first spot on percentages but will need to contribute 88 minutes of hard football every week to maintain that position.
Former Penrith Swans rep junior, Liam Murphy, stood out like a beacon in what was easily his best game in the senior ranks. Liam dominated his bigger, older opponents with second and third efforts and had a mountain of possession in the game. Adam West, who was later to play in the first grade match, was oustanding and proved a real leader by inspiration along with Matt Gann who's fitness is improving rapidly and looks likely for promotion to the ones in the coming weeks. Two first year Rams players, Mark Batten and James Stiff were also very impressive whilst the old warhorse, Bryce Roney showed his experience with a solid effort after an injury ridden pre-season. Another former Penrith Swans junior, Brad Leech, has been out of action in AFL for a few years and playing gridiron. Leecjh suffered a broken finger last month but made a fine debut for the club and was the leading goalkiker with a treble. Jake Sutana, also backiked up in the Div 1 game afterwards, was rewarded with a goal along with Matt Gann, Liam Murphy, Tayt Corless, Ben Priest, Chris Manuel and Ben McGovern.
Next week sees the team take the road trip north to take on equal leaders, Gosford Tigers at 1 PM.
Penrith Rams 2.2 6.5 8.8 10.8-68 def by Uni NSW Bulldogs 4.3 6.6 9.9 16.12-108
Goal Kickers: B. Leech 3, J. Sultana , M. Gann , L. Murphy , T. Corless , B. Priest , C. Manuel , B. McGovern
Best Players: L. Murphy, A. West, M. Gann, M. Batten, J. Stiff, B. Roney
It was mid Sunday Afternoon with just one match of the five left for the Rams to attempt to register a win. The newly promoted Div 1 Rams outfit were hit by some late withdrawals, amongst them Lachie Smith and Grant Berry, both being unable to overcome injuries from last week. Sam Lockhart, who witdrew from the side on Thursday, was to be recalled and Adam West and Jake Sultana and Adam West, after a gruelling reserve grade game the match before, put up their hands to back up.
The Bulldogs were on a roll after beating powerhouse club, Sydney Hills Eagles last week, whilst the Rams had failed by a point in their season opener to Macquarie University.
The match started ominously for the Rams. After having the best of the opening minutes, resulting in just three one pointers, the Dogs opened up and poured on five goals. With Dale Chivas being the Rams only goalscorer, things were looking grim with against the skilful Uni outfit.
Coach Phil McGuinness was articulate at the break and made a few structural changes and also took to the field for his first match in a few years. The game quickly changed with Chivas taking a strong mark and converting in the opening minutes. McGuinness got into the action shortly after and put through an grubber from an angle that had a good locck at both the big posts before being given the all clear. Moments later, Justin Weller spilled a mark from a McGuinness kick, but recovered with defenders surrounding him to save the gaffe. The momentum swung back for a while with Uni's kicking machine, Brad Abbott, marking and giving some relief to Uni with a goal. Matt Lewis got into the fray and kicked his first in the top gradeand the teams went to the long break with an inspired comeback seeing the Rams just six points in arrears.
The premiership quarter arrived and it was game on. Nathan Allison is not regarded as a goalkicker, but had been having a sensational game on the wing. He was awarded a free from the boundary and elected to go for the tough shot. A perfect kick saw the team spirit and crowd rise as the rams drew level. Uni responded with one of their own but Penrith were quickly on the attack again with Daniel Schroot putting a left footed wormburner through the big posts. Shortly after, Allison added his second with a set shot and it was Penrith going to the final break with aslender 4 point buffer.
The final term saw the game thrown wide open in the exciting match. Nathan Wright busted the noddle and from a distance, kicked a great goal, the goal umpire not having to move an inch. Uni responed from the ballup and were within a goal. Shortly after, Weller took a good mark in a contest and added his second. Dale Chivas the was awarded a free from the centre and played on to score his fthird. The Dogs responed again but Chivas was again in the thick of things booting his fouth with two minutes on the clock. The Rams were under pressure in the closing minutes but held on to record a historic 7 point win.
Nathan Allison was the best for the Rams. Nath is always first to the ground on training night despite living in the Hills district and his training regime is second to none. He was a sensation on the wing, never giving an inch to his opponents. Dave Bradley made a welcome return after injury and showed the old bones are still in working order with a display of tireless work. The old firm of Dale Chivas and Jay Edwards again proved instrumental in the great win as they toyed with their opponents despite heavy marking whilst the "movie star" looking duo of Adam Sharp and Daniel Schroot won the hearts off all, except the Dogs, with another great 88 minute effort.
The win takes the team to fourth spot on the ladder. Next week, penrith will be looking to consolidate the win with another against Western Suburbs at Picken Oval on Saturday.
Well done guys on a great effort. It's now time to fully commit to the season ahead with training.
Penrith Rams 1.4 5.4 8.5 12.8-80 def Uni NSW Bulldogs 5.1 6.4 7.7 11.7-73
Goal Kickers: D. Chivas 4, J. Weller 2, N. Allison 2, P. McGuinness , D. Schroot , M. Lewis , N. Wright
Best Players: N. Allison, D. Bradley, J. Edwards, A. Sharp, D. Schroot, D. Chivas
Last Modified on 06/05/2012 20:45