LIVE BLOG: NSW/ACT vs. NT
By Bronte Kerr.
This is a crucial clash in the context of not only the RAMS’ National Championships, but in the fledgling football careers of the host of youngsters with aspirations of joining an AFL list.
Recruiters were impressed with the work of a handful of RAMS standouts last weekend, with mercurial forward Harry Himmelberg and athletic big man Matt Flynn putting their names up in lights, alongside hard-nosed midfielder Jacob Hopper, who looks almost guaranteed to be top ten pick.
Charlie Bance is another who has generated some discussion, among the best of Tadgh Kennelly’s men in their last two TAC Cup games, as well as last week in Queensland, while Riverina product Josh Minogue is another on clubs’ radars.
After a stellar start to the year in the TAC Cup, midfielder Jock Cornell has struggled in his last few outings, one of a couple of highly-rated RAMS who will be desperate to put their names up in lights against NT.
Check out the preview of today’s game HERE.
Click HERE for the NSW/ACT RAMS’ squad.
2:00pm: Overcast conditions here at Simonds Stadium, Geelong, as the NSW/ACT boys are warming up ahead of their clash with NT. Here’s hoping the rain holds off for what promises to be an exciting contest.
FIRST QUARTER
2:11: Pressure is already palpable here at Simonds Stadium. Both teams have come out with all guns blazing in the early minutes of the game.
2:14: The NSW/ACT boys get on the board early with a ripper of a goal from Lachlan Tiziani. NSW/ACT 1.1 7 NT 0.0
2:16: The rams are dominating the contest early, with Harrison Macreadie getting NSW/ACT’s second goal for the quarter. NSW/ACT 2.1 13 NT 0.0
2:21: NSW/ACT get their third for the quarter with Jock Cornell slotting a goal after a mark in the goal square. NSW/ACT 3.2 20 NT 0.0
2:23: The NT boys are struggling to find their legs in the opening stanza of the game. NSW/ACT lead the disposals 58-31 and are playing much cleaner footy than their opponents.
2:24: NT’S Ezekiel Frank looking dangerous in the forward line- a minus score for the up and coming forward. NSW/ACT 3.2 20 NT 1.0 1
2:29: Cornell runs hard for the ball to take a solid mark in the RAMS inside 50 however narrowly misses to the left. NSW/ACT 3.4 22 NT 1.0 1
QUARTER TIME
The NSW/ACT RAMS dominated for the majority of the opening quarter, running the ball well and on their own terms, in addition to tackling hard on their opponents. NT began to find their legs in the later stages of the stanza however will need to match the RAMS pressure in order to make their mark on the game.21 points the margin here at Simonds Stadium.
SECOND QUARTER
2:38: Skipper Jacob Hopper sends the ball forward with a penetrating kick to star midfielder Harrison Himmelberg, who misses to the left. NSW/ACT 3.5 23 NT 1.0 1
2:40: Sloppy disposals from the RAMS prove costly with NT’s Michael Hagan capitalizing on a turnover to score NT’s first goal for the match. Momentum is definitely with the NT boys in the early stages of this second quarter. NSW/ACT 2.5 23 NT 1.2 8
2:42: NT momentum is short lived with the RAMS getting one back quick. Cornell banging a ripper of a goal through for the favourites, extending their lead to 21 points. NSW/ACT 3.5 29 NT 1.2 8
2:46: NSW/ACT continue their domination, with the NT boys struggling to minimize the bloodshed on the score board. Two consecutive goals for the RAMS by Himmelberg and McFadden. Captain Hopper playing a key role in both goals and has racked up an impressive 13 disposals. NSW/ACT 6.5 41 plays NT 1.2 8
2:52: Another goal for NSW/ACT, with Matthew Flynn slotting a goal to extend the RAMS lead to 40 points.NSW/ACT 7.5 48 NT 1.2 8
HALF TIME
NSW/ACT 7.7 49 NT 1.2 8
NSW/ACT have been hard at the footy at all stages of the contest, with the RAMS having a good spread of players earning the footy. Skipper Hopper has been instrumental in the RAMS campaign, putting on an impressive display of football. NSW/ACT lead the disposal count comfortably( 160 to 98) and all in all have been much harder at the footy than their uninspiring opponents. NT will have to up their work rate considerably in the midfield in order to stay in the game.
THIRD QUARTER
3:21: A centering kick arrives in the hands of McFadden who is able to add a second goal to his account, becoming the first multiple goal kicker for the contest. NSW/ACT 8.8 56 plays NT 1.2 8
3:25:Poor defence by the NT boys proves costly, with NSW/ACT’s Sproule taking a mark inside 50 amongst a sea of NT players. Sproule lines up to slot yet another goal for the dominant NSW/ACT side. NSW/ACT 9.9 63 plays NT 1.2 8
3:28: NT finds a much needed goal in Daniel Rioli. NSW/ACT 9.9 63 NT 2.2 14
3:32: An easy mark is taken by Jock Cornell in the RAMS goal square who is able to convert for a goal. NSW/ ACT 10.9 69 NT 2.2 14
3:33: A spark of brilliance from NT’s Frank who slots NT’s third goal for the game. NSW/ACT 10.9 69 NT 3.2 20.
3:34: Back to back goals for the NT side with Rioli earning a free kick inside 50. NSW/ACT 10.9 69 NT 4.2 26
3:37: Yet another goal for NT, who are storming back in a late surge. This time, Turner, with a penetrating kick from just inside 50. NSW/ACT 10.9 69 NT 5.2 32.
THREE QUARTER TIME
A disappointing third stanza for the RAMS, with NT winning the third quarter 4 goals to three.The NSW/ACT boys took their foot off the pedal at times, providing NT with an opportunity to make amends for their lamentable first half performance. The RAMS still lead comfortably 10.10 70 to 5.2 32.
FOURTH QUARTER
3.44: A great start from the RAMS, with no other than Jacob Hopper scoring NSW/ACT’s first for the stanza.Brilliant shepherding by Cornell in the goal square.NSW/ACT 11.10 76 NT 5.2 32
3:47: Plucking the ball out of nowhere, NSW/ACT’s RAMS Minogue takes a superb mark on the 50 line and goes back to comfortably slot a goal. NSW/ACT 12.10 82 5.2 32.
3:53: In a perfect set shot, Hagan bags a goal for the NT side. NSW/ACT 12.10 82. 6.2 39.
3:58: Great ball movement from Harry Himmelberg who sends one towards goal. A brilliant goal from the highly anticipated draft prospect, who has been a key player in AFL NSW/ACT’s dominant campaign.NSW/ACT 13.10 88 NT 6.2 39
4:00: In a helicopter kick, NT’s Jeffery nails an unlikely goal. NSW/ACT 13.10 88 NT 8.3 51.
4:02: Cornell continues his score board dominance, getting his fourth for the game. NSW/ACT 14.10 94 NT 8.3 51
4:03: In the dying stages of the game, NT’s McMasters squeezes one more goal in before the final siren sounds. NSW/ACT 14.10 94 NT 9.3 57.
FULL TIME
NSW/ACT 14.10 94 d NT 9.3 57. 
GOALS: Jock Cornell, 4, Harrison Himmelberg, 2, Callum McFadden, 2, Jacob Hopper, Harrison Macreadie, Josh Minogue, Lachlan Tiziani, Matthew Flynn, Zachary Sproule.
BEST: Harrison Macreadie, Jacob Hopper, Darcy Baron-Hay, Harrison Himmelberg, Jock Cornell, Matt Flynn, Callum McFadden.
There were many positive signs for the NSW/ACT side, particularly in the first half of their clash against NT. They played well structured, clean and smart football, while the NT’s performance erred on the side of self-preservation.
The RAMS led on the scoreboard at all stages at the game, and were consistently hard at the footy.
The second half was scrappy and disappointing at times for the NSW/ACT side, who took their foot off the pedal considerably in the third quarter.
Led by the likes of Michael Hagan and Ezekiel Frank, the NT side looked dangerous at times, showing some flashes of brilliance. However they lacked structure in the midfield and suffered from a number of defensive lapses.
Hopper was outstanding once again in the winning side, amassing 29 touches, ten clearances, four inside 50’s and a goal to his name.
The skipper worked well with Harry Himmelberg, who had an equally impressive game of football. Aside from slotting two goals, Himmelberg was a significant asset around the contested ball.
Cornell was arguably one of the best on the ground for the RAMS, slotting four goals and racking up 16 disposals for the winning side.
The NSW/ACT side will find fierce opponents in Queensland next Thursday the 2nd of July, who have been dominant in the opening two rounds of the championships.
