It will be a massive day for the hometown club, which will unveil its clubhouse renovations including a viewing balcony that extends right to the oval boundary fence.
The many spectators expected to turn up will be treated to a fast-paced game.
Rumbalara traditionally play an attacking brand of footy, and this year the Rams have lifted their scoring power.
Rumba only lost by a goal in the opening round last Friday, but still had 24 scoring shots with star recruit Ryan Hudson kicking five majors.
Hudson and midfielders Steve Stallion and Peter Hood were Rumbalara’s better players, while the club has a host of experienced players, including Jamie and Kane Atkinson, who can both play anywhere on the field.
The Rams will lose recently retired Western Bulldogs forward Sam Lloyd, who played a one-off game for his hometown club in the big win over Finley on Good Friday.
Rams co-coach Tim Holobowski said while you can’t replace someone of Lloyd’s quality, he has every faith in the players coming up from the reserves to play a strong role in the team.
“It’s probably the first time in a few years where we have guys in our reserves putting the pressure on senior spots.
“Young blokes like Aidan Free, Harry Hillier and Liam Pitts have had some senior experience in the past and have had strong pre-seasons and we have no issue bringing one or all of them up and knowing they’ll play well for us, and put pressure on other blokes to get back in the side.”
Holobowski - who plays a key on-field role in the midfield coming off the bench - said the match will be won and lost through the centre corridor.
“You just have to be so switched on against Rumba, especially when you don’t have the ball.
“They’re an all-out attacking side who are always looking to score goals, so you have to man up and not give them any space. They can score quickly and heavily so we have to have a strong defensive mindset or we’ll find ourselves behind very quickly.
‘‘You have to guard the centre corridor and put pressure on them through the midfield if you want to be any chance of containing their run and carry.”
The Rams will look to their in-form midfield of Rick Gittens, Clay Howe, Matt MacDonald, Blair Whelan, captain Todd Gallagher and ruckman Bryce Scoullar to control the tempo of the game.
Down back Brayden Hall has led a miserly defence which will need to be on top of their game tomorrow.
If the Rams can stop Rumba’s run they should just scrape home in what should be a thrilling game.
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