enrith Rams First Grade dropped out of the top five with shock loss to Wests on Saturday. In earlier games, Thirds started the day well with a gutsy win against fourth placed Saints AFC and Reserves posted a solid win against Parramatta to retain third spot. The 18's put in a great display against Wests, despite an honourable loss whilst the Ramettes were proud in their defeat by Sydney Uni.
Third Grade kicked off the dew at Greygums in the opening match of the day against fourth placed Saints AFC at 8:30 AM on a clear winter’s day.
Despite putting in some good performances during the season, the team had registered only one win and were looking to turn their season around in this match. New recruit Michael Brown mad his AFL debut and Jon Barry was a late inclusion in the team with both sides fielding maximum squads of 22.
A tight opening quarter saw Saints open the scoring with a goal, which was quickly equalled by the Rams in the somewhat slippery conditions. Penrith held a slender one point lead at the first break but it was the Rams edging further ahead in the second term with a double to take an eight point lead at the long break.
The third quarter saw some tough encounters as Saints tried to get back the deficit but with both sides each scoring 1.2. In the final term, both sides looked out on their feet with Saints mounting a courageous comeback to hit the front. The Rams, however, had suffered some close losses this year and were not about to give up easily and with a late major, hit the front. Saints tried valiantly to raise another effort but the siren beat them home with the Rams celebrating wildly with a two point win.
The victory has dragged the team into 7th spot, three wins out of the final five. Michael Bishop, Playing just his third ever AFL game after joining the Rams recently, was outstanding in the win with his toughness at the ball and kicked two of the Rams five majors. Former Ram, Luke Donaghue also excelled in the midfield, returning to the club in recent weeks after a long spell. Dan McKinnon and Jon Barry also put in polished displays whilst Justin Weller and Daniel Barnes performed well. Veteran Syd Weller was the other Rams multiple scorer with a double.
Coach Jason Makin was enthralled with the win and is looking to finish the season with renewed respect from all opposing sides. Penrith will have the bye next week in Div 5 but resume at Greygums Oval on July 15 against Holroyd-Parramatta.
1QG | 1QB | Q1PTS | 2QG | 2QB | Q2PTS | 3QG | 3QB | Q3PTS | 4QG | 4QB | PTS |
PENRITH |
1 |
0 |
6 |
3 |
4 |
22 |
4 |
6 |
30 |
5 |
7 |
37 |
SAINTS a.f.c |
1 |
2 |
8 |
2 |
2 |
14 |
3 |
4 |
22 |
5 |
5 |
35 |
PENRITH
Goal Kickers: M. Bishop 2, S. Weller 2, A. Prowse
Best Players: M. Bishop, L. Donoghue, D. McKinnon, J. Barry, D. Barnes, J. Weller
SAINTS a.f.c
Goal Kickers: D. Coakley 2, L. Mountney , B. Prelec , C. Wieckhorst
Best Players: T. Showan, C. Bryant, P. Conduit, R. Anderson, G. Fury, D. Coakley
A very strong Holroyd-Parramatta outfit arrived at Greygums for the Reserve Grade clash at 10:30 AM with many current first graders making an appearance against the third-placed Rams.
It was the Goannas who drew first blood with some slick movements and in the blink of an eye, put 1.3 on the board. The Rams took a while to step into gear, but three straight, late goals in the last six minutes saw them take an eight point lead. It was all Penrith in the second session, with 4.1 added to the scoreboard, Parramatta realising just two behinds as the home team raced to a 31 point lead.
The third term saw a much more even contest, with both teams fighting hard. Inaccurate kicking by both teams saw the scoreboard attendant busier on the minor score update with Penrith edging just another point in front. The final quarter saw a great comeback from the experienced Goanna’s outfit. However, their radar was way off beam fortunately for Penrith. The Rams just managed two scoring shots, gaining seven points for their efforts. The Goanna’s on the other hand, were credited with ten scoring opportunities, but could only convert twice. At the final siren, the statistics showed that Parramatta’s 21 shots at goal against Penrith’s 15 would have almost guaranteed victory, so it was a rather flattering 19 point victory for the home side to retain third spot on the ladder.
Max McNamara showed his true class with another great display of footy, possible fuelled by Hawthorn’s win over the sleeping Carlton the previous night. Adam West continues his great form with a hard display, whilst Mark Jackson caused headaches for his bigger opponents in the forward line. Three first year players, Mark Batten, Scott Randall and Joel Lekkas just keep improving every week and will be certainly right up to their ears in finals football. Jake Sultana headed the scoring list with a treble, whilst Jackson and Lekkas both added a double.
The team has an eight day turnaround with their important match next Sunday at Greygums Oval where they face premiership hotpots, Gosford, who scored an 18 point win against them back in April at Adcock Park.
| 1QG | 1QB | Q1PTS | 2QG | 2QB | Q2PTS | 3QG | 3QB | Q3PTS | 4QG | 4QB | PTS |
PENRITH |
3 |
0 |
18 |
7 |
1 |
43 |
8 |
5 |
53 |
9 |
6 |
60 |
HOLROYD-PARRAMATTA |
1 |
4 |
10 |
1 |
6 |
12 |
2 |
9 |
21 |
4 |
17 |
41 |
PENRITH
Goal Kickers: J. Sultana 3, M. Jackson 2, J. Lekkas 2, L. Hall , J. Weller
Best Players: M. McNamara, A. West, M. Jackson, M. Batten, S. Randall, J. Lekkas
HOLROYD-PARRAMATTA
Goal Kickers: K. Radford , T. Watson , P. Zuvela , G. Zenebre
Best Players: P. Zuvela, P. Barry, A. Townsend, S. Butler, B. Rizzo, M. McLeod
It thas been a frustrating year for the Under 18’s with some heavy losses, but the side has been honourable in defeat and never gives up. In the 12:30 match, they faced Western Suburbs and were confident of a competitive match. The Rams were strengthened by the return to 18’s by James Devlin and George Paneras, along with junior gun player, Ben Mayer, having his debut match for the season.
With the aid of a breeze, Wests stormed out of the gates kicking five goals in the opening term, with the colts responding with one of their own. The second term however saw the team put their heads down and dominate the quarter, putting 3.3 on the Magpies, who could only respond with two behinds and as the teams went to the sheds, it was “game on” with Wests leading by just a goal.
Wests however, came back fighting and were to take control of the third quarter, kicking 3.6 whilst Penrith were just able to add a six pointer, leaving Penrith four goals in deficit with the final quarter looming. Although an even final term, the Rams radar was off as they added just 4 single pointers, Wests sensing the game was theirs, added 4 goals and took the match in a misleading 47 point win.
Josh Zolfel was best for Penrith and has been a big improver all year. Close behind was Jesse Hyland in his committed best display of the year. George Paneras was an inspiration returning from injury whilst Marty Wyburn and Pat Pope continued their fine form. Ben Mayer quickly proved his class with a polished display. James Devlin was the Rams multiple scorer with a double.
Full credit to the side on Saturday, despite not registering a win this year in the Sydney AFL elite division, a full squad of twenty two players turned up to play footy and did the Rams proud.
The teams travels to Bruce Purser next Saturday to take on competition leaders Sydney Hills and on the way they played on the weekend, will certainly not let the premiership favourites have it all their own way.
| 1QG | 1QB | Q1PTS | 2QG | 2QB | Q2PTS | 3QG | 3QB | Q3PTS | 4QG | 4QB | PTS |
PENRITH |
1 |
1 |
7 |
4 |
4 |
28 |
5 |
4 |
34 |
5 |
8 |
38 |
WESTERN SUBURBS |
5 |
2 |
32 |
5 |
4 |
34 |
8 |
10 |
58 |
12 |
13 |
85 |
PENRITH
Goal Kickers: J. Devlin 2, B. HARRIS , S. Hunt , M. Wyburn
Best Players: J. Zolfel, J. Hyland, G. Paneras, M. Wyburn, P. Pope, B. Mayer
WESTERN SUBURBS
Goal Kickers: E. Petras 3, M. Altman 3, J. Zoppo , T. Kannan , J. Crnogorac , K. Venn , M. Vitale , M. Stedman
Best Players: D. Furneaux-Bate, T. Kannan, E. Petras, J. Bradley, H. Koussan, B. Polley
First Grade were looking to get back to the winners list after two consecutive defeats that saw them slip to fifth spot on the ladder and needed a good win against “Cellar Dwellers” Western Suburbs Magpies in the 2:30 PM main event. Wests had given Penrith a scare in their round one clash before a second half revival saw a Rams win.
The loss of Dave Bradley, celebrating the birth of his daughter, Harper Elizabeth, a couple of days before, was a blow for Penrith but the return of Nathan Wright and Dale Chivas was on the positive side.
A tough first term saw Penrith take a nine point buffer with a different structure to usual in place for many of the team. Wests looked the sharper team in the second quarter, registering three straight kicks against the Rams 1.1. Grant Berry, along with both teams, were confused with the reasoning of a yellow card being given by the umpires and was to sit at the timekeepers table for 15 minutes. Wests went to the long break with a two point lead.
The Rams looked the dominate team in the third quarter but inaccurate kicking saw them register just 1.5 whilst Wests could only add three singles to their tally as the home side took a 6 point lead with 22 minutes remaining. A tough final quarter saw the ball go from end o end. Again Penrith were inaccurate converting just one of their five opportunities and a final surge saw Penrith pipped by Wests by just 4 points.
The loss sees the side out of the top five for the first time since round one and there is certainly work to do in the upcoming rounds. Nathan Wright was under an injury cloud right up till match time and was a late inclusion in the team. He was magnificent and earned the Best on Ground Award. Jay Edwards and Matty Payne also proved inspirational in the team whilst Tom Hall, James Devlin and Dale Chivas were worthy contributors.
Next week the side travels to Bruce Purser on Saturday in a game that could decide if they are worthy finals contenders when they take on Sydney Hills Eagles. The “SHE’s” are in ninth spot with just three wins yet Penrith struggled against them in a six point win earlier in the year at Greygums having come from three goals down at the half way mark. A big committed training session on both nights will be required by all players to get the season back on track.
| 1QG | 1QB | Q1PTS | 2QG | 2QB | Q2PTS | 3QG | 3QB | Q3PTS | 4QG | 4QB | PTS |
PENRITH |
2 |
4 |
16 |
3 |
5 |
23 |
4 |
10 |
34 |
5 |
14 |
44 |
WESTERN SUBURBS |
1 |
1 |
7 |
4 |
1 |
25 |
4 |
4 |
28 |
7 |
6 |
48 |
PENRITH
Goal Kickers: P. McGuinness 2, B. Roberts 2, L. Murphy
Best Players: N. Wright, J. Edwards, M. Payne, T. Hall, J. Devlin, D. Chivas
WESTERN SUBURBS
Goal Kickers: R. Cott 2, T. Woods , M. Carney , A. Elchah , P. Gannon , C. Specha
Best Players: J. Pedemont, C. Lucas, J. Bannister, R. Cott, A. Green, A. Elchah
The only away game saw the Ramettes take the trip to Sydney to take on 2011 Grand Finalists, Sydney Uni, who were fielding arguably their best team this season. The girls have had a tough run in the last month playing the top three teams but the resolve of the team was been outstanding. Twenty Four players made the trip despite being despised outsiders in the betting. Sara Rowley was a late withdrawal just before the match started, but showed tenacity in wanting to play before illness won the day. Great work by the youngster in running water and supporting the team despite the disappointment of not playing.
Sydney Uni showed their relentless form and posted an impressive opening quarter to post 8.5, but Penrith proudly put themselves on the scoreboard with Ivanka Olchowik, returning after a long stint on the sidelines, with a good six pointer after great lead up work by the team from the back flank. However, Penrith were staring at a 47 point deficit and a 200+ loss at this stage. The second half saw some tough footy and hard defence, restricting the students to just five goals. Again the second half showed that the lesser skills against the top sides are compensated by the lack of respect for what the scoreboard indicates. Many sides would have let their opponents run riot when the match was out of reach. Restricting the home side to just four goals each quarter shows that this team will be the big improvers in their final run home this year and in the future years.
After mastering the snow last weekend, Natalie Camilleri returned to the side and again put in an outstanding effort. Her first year of AFL has been brilliant and surely the multi-talented Ramette would be considered next season for representative honours. Jennifer Brown has been one of the hardest trainers this year and leads by inspiration and played a masterful game whilst Ashley Grosas was again in the best. Claire Manuel, has seen plenty of action in the backline all season and is always ready to put her body on the line whilst Sharon Braddish and Kate Easthope never gave their opponents a free rein.
Next Sunday, the girls play their final game of the year at Greygums Oval, when they take on Southern Power. The Ramettes have played Southern Power twice this season with the experienced Shire team winning both but Penrith were competitive for much of the last match at Gwawley and will be looking for a close, competitive match.
| 1QG | 1QB | Q1PTS | 2QG | 2QB | Q2PTS | 3QG | 3QB | Q3PTS | 4QG | 4QB | PTS |
Sydney University |
8 |
5 |
53 |
13 |
11 |
89 |
17 |
15 |
117 |
21 |
24 |
150 |
Penrith Ramettes |
1 |
0 |
6 |
1 |
1 |
7 |
1 |
1 |
7 |
1 |
1 |
7 |
Penrith Ramettes
Goal Kickers: I. Olchowik
Best Players: N. Camilleri, J. Brown, A. Grosas, C. Manuel, S. Braddish, K. Easthope
Last Modified on 08/08/2012 23:08