In round eight of the Murray League, the Rams are at home at Hardinge St Oval playing Congupna.
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The Rams are up and about after a 37-point away win over Tongala, with a two game win streak, creating a two-game difference between themselves in sixth and the Blues in eighth position.
Congupna are the reigning premiers and have asserted themselves as the benchmark of the competition this season.
Following a one-point grand final win over Finley last year, the side has gone undefeated in 2025 with an average winning margin of 130 points this season.
They again showed their premiership credentials, beating Cobram by 104 points last week.
The Congupna side features several key players, including their reigning best and fairest Jack Norman as well as 2024 best in finals player Jimmy Boyer.
The team also has several talented goal kickers, including last season’s Murray League leading goal kicker, Kyle Mueller. He had 101 goals last season, and kicked six goals last week against Cobram.
The Rams also have multiple strong players with Charlie Hillier kicking five goals last week, forward focal point Angus Durnan kicking three goals, and with handy one goal contributions from Sam Willoughby, Chase Bartlett and Riley Hamilton.
The Rams also had a spread of best players including Miller Fitzpatrick, Zac Free, Will Henderson and Todd Gallagher, with Dexter Hardman making his senior sub debut.
Rams senior coach Gary Parsons said it was a team performance last weekend that helped consolidate the Rams’ form.
“We’re getting a lot of improvement out of our younger players, and lesser lights, as I like to call them. It was a real good team effort.
“When it was their turn to put in, they did a good job.
“There were plenty of ripping tackle efforts, and tackle pressure leading to turnovers.
“It was a good defensive effort to keep them (Tongala) to just four goals.”
As for the challenge this week against Congupna, Parsons said the Rams will rely on their stingy defence, which has been a hallmark of the Deni side this year.
“They’re definitely the benchmark of the competition and are having a ripping year by all accounts.
“We’re expecting a good battle, especially with our defence which has really been our strength this year with John Anstee, Mick Barnett, Harry Hillier, Darcy Cullenward, Miller Fitzpatrick all down there.
“We might have to try a few different things down back also against Congupna.
“We want to judge ourselves after having played every team once.
“They’re used to playing on a big ground, and are a good running side. We’ll have a go.”
While the Rams are going well, there is plenty of the season still ahead.
Parsons said it is important for the group to stay focused on the opportunity at hand.
“We don’t want to get too far ahead of ourselves.
“Congupna have shown how good they are, but outside of them this season anybody can beat anybody, and we’ll wait until we play everybody.”
“It’s a cliché, but we take it one week at a time.
“We don’t know how well they’ll show up, but we’ve put a fair bit of energy into putting out a good performance on Saturday.
“We know where we’re at realistically, but this will be a really good test.”
After tomorrow’s games, the Rams will host its iPod Shuffle night.
It will be held at the Rams’ Clubrooms, with guests encouraged to dress to match thier favourite music decade or genre, or a music-inspired look.
Under-18s need to be supervised by an adult.
Songs can be submitted on the night or sent to Riley Hamilton. More details are available on the Deniliquin Rams Football Netball Club Facebook page.