Preview: NSW/ACT RAMS vs NT
By Bronte Kerr.
When: Saturday June 27th, 2:10pm
Where: Simonds Stadium (Geelong)
LIVE blog: via aflnswact.com.au
LIVE stream: via afl.com.au
This game is a must win for both sides, with both the RAMS and Northern Territory suffering disappointing losses in the opening round of the National Championships.
Following the RAMS’ two-point loss in their National Championships opener against Tasmania, the NSW/ACT side will take to the field determined to get a win under their belt.
In a game of two halves, the RAMS were disappointing in the first two stanzas of their game against Tasmania, wasting opportunities up forward and suffering from a number of defensive lapses.
In a highly physical encounter, the RAMS face a number of injury blows, with Jayden Rymer and Matthew Wilson set to miss the second round of the Championships.
The RAMS came out with all guns blazing in the final term, however it was a classic tale of too little too late for the NSW/ACT side, who fell two points short as the final siren sounded.
The RAMS can take great confidence from the stellar performances of exciting draft prospects Jacob Hopper and Harry Himmelberg.
Himmelberg played an exciting brand of football, with the big man slotting three goals, in addition to showing some flashes of brilliance.
Meanwhile, Northern Territory will take to the field with a point to prove, following their 72 point defeat at the hands of a relentless Queensland side.
Queensland dominated at all stages of the game, and had 10 individual goal-kickers, including Wylie Buzza, who kicked five goals for the winning side.
Northern Territory’s efforts to match Queensland’s high intensity were hampered in the early stages of the game, when midfielder Davin Ferreira was stretchered off in the opening quarter with a dislocated ankle.
TALKING POINTS
1. Hopper turning heads
Likely draft prospect, Jacob Hopper (Leeton/ Whitton) will look to build upon his stellar performance against Tasmania, when he leads the NSW/ACT boys in their game against NT.
Despite previous injury concerns, the Level 2 AFL Academy Member was vital in the RAMS campaign against Tasmania.
Hopper boasted an impressive 33 touches, nine clearances, 10 inside 50s and a goal in the opening round of the National Championships.
Hopper has turned heads in recent years and is highly regarded as a clean skilled, reliable and efficient competitor.
The talented midfielder is tied to Greater Western Sydney as a zone academy player out of the Riverina region.
2. NSW/ACT to find fresh legs
The NSW/ACT side will have the added advantage of the inclusion of a host of new well rested players when they take on Northern Territory in Geelong this Saturday.
The RAMS have made a number of changes to the side ahead of this weekend’s game, with Timothy Coenen, Thomas Faul, and Kyle Galloway all set to miss NSW/ACT’s second match
Ruckmen Lachlan Behagg and Ned Reinhard are notable inclusions, along with midfielders Matthew Klemke, Jackson Kelly, Shaun Mannagh, Jake Brown and Sam Simmons.
3. Playing four- quarter footy
Following their narrow defeat against Tasmania, the RAMS will have to focus on playing a more consistent, four quarter brand of football when they lock horns with NT.
There were a number of positive signs from the RAMS opening performance, particularly the boys’ tenacious last quarter effort.
However the NSW/ACT side will have to work on minimizing sloppy disposals, in addition to maintaining a consistent work rate for all four quarters of the game.
