Tara Murray
Western Rams might not have come away with the points on Saturday, but having put their highest score on the board in nearly seven years there’s plenty of good signs.
The Rams have shown some promising signs in the first two rounds of the Western Football League division 2 competition, despite what the scoreboard showed.
On Saturday against Laverton, the Rams got off to a good start to lead by seven points at quarter time.
The Magpies controlled the next two quarters to lead by 55 points at the final break.
While the game was over, the Rams showed some mental resilience and fought the game out hard to win the final quarter.
The Magpies won 21.12 (138)-13.10 (88) but for Rams coach Ashley Pritchard there were plenty of positives.
The last time the Rams scored more than 88 points was back on June 24, 2017.
“We started off well,” said Pritchard. “In the second and third quarters had something to do with fitness and some fatigue and we allowed them to score easy goals.
“Going into the final quarter the game could have gone one of two ways. We knuckled down even though we were exhausted and had a real go in the final quarter.”
Pritchard said they were starting to see that connection between defence, the midfielders and into the forward line.
He said that was on show in the final quarter.
“We have Jarryd Underwood, Michael Walsh and Jared Scott in the forward line now,” he said. “Those three and in particular Jarryd and Jared on Saturday were fantastic.”
Underwood kicked six goals for the Rams.
Pritchard said the Lewis brothers Damon and Tyler, were the standouts in the loss to Laverton and have given them real energy in the midfield all season.
Pritchard in his first season at the club said there had been plenty of positives for the group in the club’s first season in the WFL.
“We had Newport in round one and fell away late in that game,” he said. “Albion is a class above.
“We understand where we are at and where they are at. We only trained one night last week and we had some great numbers on the track.
“We are training as a whole group which has been a big focus and will help us get fitter. When you’re fitter you run harder and think clearer and you can support your mates.”
Pritchard said they were trying to play a high intensity game and he expected them to get better as the season progressed.
The Rams this week face West Footscray.
Pritchard said they need to build on what they did against Laverton.
“We kicked seven goals in the final quarter, we need to take that into this week and see how we go.”
Meanwhile in division 1, Caroline Springs got its second win of the season, beating Parkside, 13.10 (88)-11.6 (72).
