The 2008 season started on a high for the young Rams when they recorded a convincing 65 point win against Moorebank Sports at Grey Gums Oval on Saturday.
An early onslaught saw the Rams kick two successive goals in the opening minutes but the undermanned Magpies stemmed the flow with some good defence and a late goal to go to the first break only two goals down. The second quarter produced many forward moves by the Rams but was stemmed by the Pies on most occassions with only two goals being added to the tally by the local team whilst the visitors added just one point.
Coaches Tate and King-Smith re-arranged the team for the second half with the big bench available which saw debutantes to both AFL and senior football take the field and the "fresh legs" provided a buffer for the Rams as they added 3.3 to the tally to increase their lead to forty four points as the third quarter ended. Moorebank kept the boys on their toes for the last session but could only put four single pointers on the board with the Rams bagging another four majors to run out convincing winners.
Coach Kevin Tate was very pleased with the intensity the team showed and will be working on some structural changes during the week. The boys wore black armbands and dedicated the match to Kevin's mother, Irene, who sadly passed away during the week. For the Rams, "pocket rocket" Ben Robinson was outstanding. Reece Johnson was ferocious in defence along with Max Roberts in his return to AFL after a two year layoff. Lachlan Gippel easily made the transition to 18's football with a great all-round game whilst Brendan Cooke, Nick Perry and Brent Venables played their usual "full-on" games. Former Emu Plains Lions premiership winning players, Kyle McDonagh and Cameron Jaworski also made sensational debuts with three goals apiece.
The team will, however, need to step up a notch when they take on East Coast Eagles next week at the new home of the Eagles, Bruce Purser Reserve in the 10:00 AM clash
Penrith Rams 13.7-85 def Moorebank Sports Magpies 2.8-20
Kyle McDonagh 3, Cameron Jaworski 2, Brendan Cooke 2, Lachlan Gippel, Max Roberts, Tayt Corless, Ben Robinson, Dean Siljanoski, Reece Johnson
Last Modified on 25/11/2008 06:24