Rams out for Tiger scalp

Deni Rams head coach Gary Parsons said the game was there for the taking, but after fighting particularly hard, the team couldn’t get over the finish line on top.

“It was a really good effort, but I’m not really into ‘good efforts’,” he said.

“It's a hard one, we were four points down with two minutes left.

“It was one of our best efforts, especially in the way we tackled and harassed. It was the best we’ve used the ball in close this season.

“Costly turnovers and mistakes late hurt us, biting off difficult options, but we gave plenty of effort.

“Especially with the number of young guys coming through, it’s pretty exciting for the team and the club in the immediate future.

“There’s not much we could have done (in those last two minutes) we got chewed up on a few, taking on the 45 (degree angle kicks).

“And fatigue probably also hurt us against the bigger stronger bodies Moama have against our younger guys, we probably just became a bit fatigued.”

With a few important late injuries against a good side, the Rams senior footballers are showing how good they can be even without all their first choice players.

“Overall, though it was a great effort, against a side of that quality, with a number of injuries for us, it makes its really hard.

“Luke Todd was really good with his physicality, as was Brock Redden down the back, young Henderson and Gallagher were really serviceable all day in the midfield.

“We probably just lacked another forward and another ruck.

“Ben East was a late out for Saturday, with John Anstee also out.

“Monte Barnes and Angus Durnan competed manfully against a man mountain for them in the ruck.

“It was pleasing to see because of some good young players, injuries are not really too big of a concern.”

Cobram is in form after a win against Rumbalara last week, but for the Rams, a win against a team above them on the ladder will be important as finals near.

“In Cobram, I think the ground will suit us. Although we have a big ground at home, we seem to play our best footy on small grounds.

“We’re a fast, skilful running side, and we think every game is gettable.

“From third, fourth, fifth on the ladder, even how we played last week, we’ve proved that every team in the competition is probably a chance - except for Congupna currently.

“We’ll want to get a win against one of those sides to prove we can figure in the finals.

“We beat Cobram in a grand final, but that was a couple of years ago and in this league you tend to have a rivalry with every team depending on how results have gone.

“This time of year we’re in sixth spot and if we want to really figure in finals, we’ve got to take a scalp.

“We’re happy with where we’re at. We’ve had a couple more first-gamers and a couple 15 year-olds make their debut.

“The thirds, fourths, under-12s, under-10s have all done a great job developing players to play well in the system, which bodes well for the club.”