Results don’t tell the whole story for the Western Rams in the Riddell District Football League this season.
With a brand new side and a first year coach, the Rams are yet to taste success on the scoreboard.
But coach Marty Weaver said there has been some good signs.
“We know where we are at,” he said. “It’s going to be a long journey for us and we’re looking to rebuild the culture on and off field.
“We are looking at a five year rebuild, not just a five round rebuild. We’ve got good numbers of the track and more coming along all the time.
“We’ve got good people in the club.”
Weaver said they focused on their defensive game early in the season and would now turn more attention to the attacking side.
He said they were getting opportunities inside 50 but hadn’t been able to make the most of them.
“We missed some opportunities against Melton Centrals and Lancefield,” he said.
“We were shell shocked from the start.
“Against Riddell, we had 15 inside 50s, but couldn’t take a mark. We had eight drop outs from our side that we selected on Thursday and four were forwards who are in our top 22.
“We’re seeing signs of how we want to play coming through. We’re now going to play a more attacking style and see what we can do.”
Weaver said one of the biggest issues the side had this season, is not being able to get consistency in the side.
Each week, they were having players who are selected on Thursday nights, pull out before the game meaning late changes.
The side is also completely different from 2019, when they last took to the field.
“It’s 85 to 90 per cent different from last time we played,” he said.
“In this week’s game, there’s just two existing players [from 2019] that have been named.”
On Saturday, the Rams fell short against Woodend-Hesket.
The Rams led at half-time, but kicked just one goal in the second half, losing 7.17 (59)-5.7 (37).
Kristan Vance was named the Rams best.
