LIVE BLOG: AFL NSW/ACT vs. QLD
After a tough first up loss to Tasmania in Southport, the RAMS were a much improved outfit in last week’s six goal win over NT.
Tadgh Kennelly’s troops flew out of the blocks on Saturday, and they’ll be hoping for a similarly fast start today if they’re to peg back their for and against differential and give themselves a shot at defending their Division 2 National U18 title.
NSW/ACT is a mathematical chance of claiming back-to-back triumphs, but they’ll need a win in excess of ten goals over the maroons, and hope Tasmania doesn’t beat NT by a similar margin in the late game today.
CLICK HERE for the NSW/ACT RAMS squad for today’s game
10:55: It’s wet and windy at Simonds Stadium in Geelong – not conditions conducive to free-flowing football. The RAMS squad has several noted in and under ball winners, so clearances should be a strong point, especially if ruckman Matt Flynn continues his strong form and give his midfielders first use.
FIRST QUARTER
11:05: QLD with the first goal on the board through Edwards, who snags a checkside banana on the run from near the boundary. NSW/ACT 0.0.0 QLD 1.0.6
11:07: Zach Sproule marks on the lead, but his set shot fades left. NSW/ACT 0.1.1 QLD 1.0.6
11:10: Bad turnover coming out of defence sees RAMS cult hero Harry Himmelberg in the right place at the right time. Like Sproule, his set shot misses. NSW/ACT 0.2.2 QLD 1.0.6
11:11: Jacob Hopper with a brilliant tackle, wins a free kick, and hits Himmelberg on the chest. Himmelberg kicks his second behind from a tight angle. NSW/ACT 0.3.3 QLD 1.0.6
11:16: The RAMS are proving a little harder at the contest, and leading the tackle count 12-8, but are struggling with the kick coming inside forward 50, reminiscent of the first half of the Tasmania game. NSW/ACT 0.4.4 QLD 1.1.7.
11:18: QLD have their second, through a dribbling goal to Brad Scheer. NSW/ACT 0.4.4 QLD 2.1.13
QUARTER TIME
The RAMS’ pressure is solid, leading the tackle count by 10, but they’re struggling against the sheer weight of possession QLD is having, the maroons leading the disposals count by 16. QLD has eight Inside 50s to the RAMS’ seven. Jacob Hopper has been impressive early, with five touches and two I50s, McFadden has four touches and three tackles, and Himmelberg could have kicked at least a couple. NSW/ACT 0.4.4 QLD 2.1.13
SECOND QUARTER
11:30: The goal of the day to QLD’s Ben Keays, who has been the standout player on the field so far, but Lach Tiziani responds just 30 seconds later for the RAMS. Tiziani has had an impressive championships, and he will be seriously looked at come draft night, NSW/ACT 1.4.10 QLD 3.1.19
11:34: Two in five minutes to Keays, slotting a set shot from 40 metres after a pinpoint pass from Josh Wagner. NSW/ACT 1.4.10 QLD 4.1.25
11:38: Keays dominating with 15 touches, Ryan Hebron has eight touches and four tackles for the RAMS. Hopper has been quieter this second quarter, the RAMS need him to step up. NSW/ACT 1.4.10 QLD 4.1.25
11:41: The RAMS have their second, and the Skipper has his his first goal. Hopper cuts the margin back to two goals. NSW/ACT 2.4.16 QLD 4.4.28
11:44: Jock to Josh, and a behind the result. Cornell paid a free kick out of the centre and spears it to Minogue, who pulls his kick from 50 metres. NSW/ACT 2.5.17 QLD 4.4.28
11:47: Kobe Mutch made to pay for a dicey switch across the face of goal, and QLD capitalise to the tune of six points. NSW/ACT 2.5.17 QLD 5.4.34
11:47: Kobe Mutch made to pay for a dicey switch across the face of goal, and QLD capitalise to the tune of six points. NSW/ACT 2.5.17 QLD 5.5.35
HALF TIME
NSW/ACT 2.5.17 QLD 5.5.35
The northerners led by nine points at the first change, and they’ve doubled the lead at the main break. The maroons are ahead in most of the key indicators, ahead 112-81 in disposals and 21-11 in Inside 50s. The RAMS have tackled well all day, and are marginally ahead on that count, but they were under siege for a lot of that second quarter in particular. Ben Keays has led the QLD midfield with a classy 16 touches and two goals, while Hopper and McFadden have five clearances for the RAMS. Matthew Flynn has been clever in the ruck, with several of his ten hit outs resulting in clean NSW/ACT clearances.
THIRD QUARTER
12:12: The RAMS lucky to get away with giving away a 50 metre penalty out of the centre square, a behind to QLD. NSW/ACT 2.5.17 QLD 6.5.36
12:15: The first goal of the second half to QLD through Dyson Budarick, snapping truly out of a pack, before the RAMS register a behind to Himmelberg after good lead up by Hopper and Cornell. NSW/ACT 2.6.118 QLD 7.6.43
12:19: Brilliant courageous mark running back with the flight from Ryan Hebron, he’s up to 10 touches and three marks for the RAMS. NSW/ACT 2.6.118 QLD 6.7.43
12:23: Buzzar absolutely drills a spearing goal from a step outside 50 metres, and QLD pull ahead through their impressive dread-locked big man. NSW/ACT 2.6.18 QLD 7.9.51
12:26: The breeze has kicked up hugely this term and QLD are kicking with it. The RAMS are under siege. They haven’t got the ball inside 50 this term. NSW/ACT 2.6.18 QLD 7.9.51
12:28: Cody Filewood adds another for QLD, kicking truly from 35 metres on a 45 degree angle. QLD is completely dominating this term. NSW/ACT 2.6.18 QLD 8.9.57
THEE QUARTER TIME
NSW/ACT 2.7.19 QLD 8.9.57
Not much positive to come out of that term for NSW/ACT fans. They struggled to get the ball past half way for much of the quarter, a late Jacob Hopper behind their sole score. Hopper (14 possessions) and Ryan Hebron (11) are the only RAMS players into double figure disposal numbers. A win is very unlikely from this point, but kicking with the breeze the RAMS need to salvage some pride this quarter and finish what’s been an up and down National Championships campaign on a high.
FOURTH QUARTER
12:37: Connor Byrne sprays his set shot from 30m out on the full. NSW/ACT 2.7.19 QLD 8.9.57
12:42: Himmelberg’s fourth shot at goal registers another point. He’s kicked three behinds and an out on the full today. NSW/ACT 2.8.20 QLD 8.9.57
12:42: Himmelberg’s fourth shot at goal registers another point. He’s kicked three behinds and an out on the full today. NSW/ACT 2.8.20 QLD 8.9.57
12:47: Big knock to Jake Marshall who hobbles off in some discomfort.
NSW/ACT 2.8.20 QLD 8.9.57
12:49: Setterfield hits Hopper on the lead, but the captain slices his set shot left, getting a little too close to the man on the mark. NSW/ACT 2.10.22 QLD 8.9.57
12:52: Scrappy last term, with neither side able to register a goal thus far, with only two minutes left on the clock. NSW/ACT 2.10.22 QLD 8.12.60
12:56: RAMS defender Jake Brown staggers off after copping a heavy head knock in a big contest. NSW/ACT 2.10.22 QLD 8.12.60
FULL TIME
NSW/ACT 2.10.22 QLD 8.12.60
NSW/ACT Goals: Lachlan Tiziani, Jacob Hopper
NSW/ACT Best: Jock Cornell, Darcy Baron-Hay, Harrison Himmelberg, Jacob Hopper, Callum McFadden, Matthew Flynn.
A 38-point win to QLD, avenging last year’s last round National Championships loss to the RAMS and claiming the Division 2 U18 National Championships title in the process.
QLD led from pillar to post, and were never seriously challenged, with Tadgh Kennelly’s side failing to register a goal after half-time, kicking just two majors for the match.
The RAMS will no doubt be bitterly disappointed to finish their campaign with their second loss in three games, having looked so promising at times against Tasmania and NT.
If Tasmania does as expected and trump NT today the RAMS will finish third in the Division 2 standings.
The RAMS’ lack of familiarity with one another was evident at different moments, the team – pulled from five TAC Cup squads – coming together for the first time just days prior to their first match.
The absence of gun midfielders Cal Mills, Matt Kennedy, and Jack Irvine was also apparent, with too much left to skipper Jacob Hooper in the engine room.
Despite their fluctuating fortunes over the last 12 days, NSW/ACT fans can be buoyed by the performances of a handful of youngsters who pressed their draft claims at different times.
Leeton’s Hopper was probably best afield in the RAMS’ first two outings, and tried hard against Queensland, with a team high 17 touches. He looks a certainty to go top ten in November’s draft.
Ruckman Matthew Flynn was arguably the stand out big man in Division 2, his tap work and contested marking, coupled with a healthy dose of mongrel, will see him in the cross hairs of recruiters.
Mercurial Cam McCarthy lookalike Harry Himmelberg was clearly the most dangerous target for the RAMS in all three of their games, while Charlie Bance stepped up in the absence of Mills, Irvine, and Kennedy, to be the RAMS’ second best midfielder.
Jock Cornell drifted in and put of the Tasmania and Queensland games, but showed what he’s capable of with a game-high four goals against NT, while Josh Minogue, Harrison MacReadie and Jack Hebron, and did some good things.
