Brave Rams push Centrals

A gallant effort from the Rockingham Rams wasn’t enough to beat Mundijong Centrals on Sunday at Anniversary Park as the high-flying visitors ran out winners by 27 points, 15.10 (100) to 11.7 (73) .

Following their stunning after-the-siren win against Halls Head, the Rams continued where they left off, playing some fast-flowing football in wintry conditions.

Led by five goals from the in-form Tyler Sutton and four goals from Fraser Millar, the Rams battled hard and found themselves within three goals early in the fourth term but were simply outclassed by a better team late on.

Rockingham coach Scott Franklin was pleased to see his team stick it out against one of the sides tipped to have a chance of winning the premiership in September.

“They are obviously a good side and will play a big part at the end of the year, so to challenge them the way we did was good,” Franklin said.

“We took the game on a bit and tried to make it a fast-flowing game and get the ball inside 50 as quick as we could. It gave our forwards a bit of an opportunity.”

The only sour note in a spirited performance was a red card to Rams’ Aaron Ophorst for a dangerous tackle — an incident Franklin described as having no malice.

Meanwhile, Baldivis Football Club 11.6 (72) jumped into third place after a gutsy second-half performance against South Mandurah 8.20 (68).

After a lacklustre first half, some stern words from coach Craig Hamersley did the trick as the Brumbies mounted a second-half comeback to pull off a vital win.

“We had a hard chat at half-time and the boys really lifted in the third quarter,” Hamersley said.

“Right as the rain started to drop late in the third we hit the front and liked our chances.”

Hamersley said captain Kyle Westwood put in a massive performance to will his team over the line, while a big effort from Brieghton Shea along with four goals from Daniel Kimberley were vital in wet and windy conditions.