Tara Murray
It’s been more than 2200 days in the making but the Western Rams are back on the winners list.
Having not won since May 5, 2018, when they were still in the Riddell District Football League and still known as Rockbank, the Rams had the longest losing streak for a senior men’s side in Victoria.
That all changed on Saturday, with the Rams not only getting the win but putting on a performance they could only dream of in the Western Football League division 2.
Facing North Sunshine, which hasn’t had many wins in recent years, it was a match up of the battlers that had everyone talking.
It was the Rams that came away with a 29.24 (198)-4.3 (27) win.
Coach Ash Pritchard said there were plenty of celebrations along with some mixed feelings. He said it was a big night for some of the players after the game.
“It was an unbelievable day,” he said. “It’s hard to explain.
“There was a lot of emotion and I couldn’t be happier. The reserves also got the win, it’s been a long time since they’ve both got wins on the same day.”
The Rams found themselves in the unusual position as favourites entering the game. Outside of their last up performance against Braybrook, Pritchard said they had put together some really good football.
“We’ve seen some vast improvement and we saw it all put together yesterday [Saturday],” he said.
“We tried to keep them pretty calm during the week. North are a lot like us and we understand the situation they are in.
“We didn’t want to get ahead of ourselves and we didn’t want to play the game before it arrived.”
The Rams led 47-0 at half time and the margin was 98 points at the main break,
It continued to grow and it allowed the side to enjoy the moment and celebrate something that was long awaited.
“I didn’t pick that,” Pritchard said of the margin. “It was a pleasing result and it has been what we’ve ben doing over the last month and being able to put it all together.
“It was amazing for the people who have supported in the club in the dark times. Those who had been there for a long time, I made sure they were on the ground as the siren went.
“The likes of Luke Roberts, Matthew Voight have been there a long time and seen some dark times.”
Pritchard said he could have named any of the 22 in the best.
Jarryd Underwood, who he said was their barometer this season, kicked 10 goals.
Skipper Ryan Tyson had a really strong game as did Tyler Lewis, who kicked three goals.
Pritchard said the group is content on just one win.
The Rams move up to 12th on the ladder.
“The boys need to know what they are couple of,” he said “They are capable and do some really good things.
“This is now the standard now for the next six to seven weeks.”
The Rams this week face Sunshine Heights, which also only has one win for the season.
“It’s another challenge and another opportunity to represent the club. We’ll go in with the mindset we can win it.”
