Rams stun Brumbies
The Rockingham Rams have started the new season in the best way possible, upsetting reigning premiers and local rivals Baldivis Brumbies by six points at Anniversary Park last Saturday afternoon.
The Rams 11.8 (74) edged the Brumbies 9.14 (68) in a topsy-turvy clash that saw both sides swap the lead at each break.
Baldivis had the edge over the home side in the opening term to lead by three points at quarter-time but in a big second quarter, the Rams booted five goals to take a 13-point lead into the main break.
The Brumbies responded again in the third, restricting the Rams to just two behinds as they kicked two goals of their own to take a slender one-point lead into the final term.
Rockingham kicked a vital goal with just two minutes to go in the final quarter and dug deep to hold on for a thrilling win.
Rams league coach Scott Franklin said the victory would give his side belief for the season ahead.
“It gives the players belief that what we are trying to implement will work in big games against good sides,” Franklin said.
“Our attack on the footy — our willingness to compete, tackling pressure and our ball movement with our hands was good, so when we did that we looked really sharp.”
Brumbies coach Craig Hamersley was disappointed with his side’s performance, attributing the loss to a lack of effort.
“We had a long chat after the game,” Hamersley said.
“I think it was a bit of a work rate problem, we didn’t rock up to play.
“We really struggled to replicate the intensity and the attack on the footy that Rockingham were putting in — they really jumped us from the get-go. We fought back but it was probably too little too late. It really wasn’t our best game of footy.”
Kyle Hinchcliffe and Luke Dowling kicked three goals apiece for the Rams, while Fraser Millar, Nick Gooderson, Luke Dowling, Zayne Selkirk, Daniel Rowe and Dale Smith all chipped in with impressive performances.
Sam Barndon, Samuel Eccles and James Sturrock stood out for Baldivis.
Edward Dann and Daniel Griffin kicked two goals each.
Next week the Rams travel to Falcon Oval to take on South Mandurah while Baldivis are back at home against Waroona.
Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.
Sign up for our emails