Young RAMS fall to Jets

The Jets led by seven points at quarter-time before extending that advantage to 27 points at half-time, before logging eight goals to three in a dominant second half to move to seventh spot on the ladder.

With the likes of Isaac Heeney, Cal Mills, Jack Steele, and Abe Davis unavailable through a combination of study commitments, suspension, and NEAFL duties, the RAMS were always going to face an uphill battle on a windy Melbourne morning.

Seven of the visitors’ squad were getting their first taste of TAC Cup action, and with such an inexperienced line-up, the RAMS couldn’t reprise their recent form, where they notched victory over Calder at Blacktown.

Despite the result, RAMS coach Jason Saddington was buoyed by the performances of Logan Austin, stand-in skipper Mick Mattingly, and Jordan Foote, and heartened by the opportunity to blood a handful of youngsters.

“We had seven 17-year-olds in our side, so this game was a great development opportunity for them, and a good learning experience,” Saddington said.

“All of those young guys will be better players for this experience, and there were a couple in particular who acquited themselves really well.

“Charle Bance from Wagga Wagga was very lively across half-back and through the midfield, and Mathhew Flynn, who is a tall and raw ruckman, who showed his great aerial and marking ability on Saturday.”

The RAMS will finish their TAC Cup campaign on Sunday August 3, heading to Taralgon to take on Gippsland Power.

Results:

Western Jets 14.14 (98) defeated NSW/ACT Rams 5.8 (38)

NSW/ACT RAMS Goals: Jock Cornell 2, Jeremy Finlayson, Jordan Foote, Nicholas Hey.

NSW/ACT RAMS Best: Logan Austin, Matthew Flynn, Michael Mattingly, Charlie Bance, Jeremy Finlayson, Jordan Foote.

Image: Arj’s Sporting Eye