Sunday saw Kerang/Swan Hill RAMS travel to Echuca to play the EMU’s. The RAMs travelled short on numbers but being a home game the EMU’s were able to assist the undermanned RAM’s. The Sunday game also gave EMU great Darryl Coutts the opportunity to have his 50th party on the Saturday night which is not the ideal preparation for the team. Fortunately though the carb loading strategy turned out to be a coup for the team as Darryl led them out as captain for the day.
As opposed to weeks before the EMUs started the game well with Chris Blake and Oliver Orange working the centre well, clearing the ball from Justin Voss and Deanne Kelly’s solid ruck work. John Smyth returning after injury slotted well into the forward line converting early with two goals in the first quarter.
The ever quick thinking Jeff Abella set up some great plays with quick hands and running off the wing. Once again the back line held up strong led by the Generals Dammond Hammond and Peter Spencer reading each of the RAMs attacking plays and cutting them off. The two Backman have been firing all year and are certain to be high in the end of year votes this year.
Francis Obrien’s set some early goals for himself this year one of which was to improve in his running game. This is now starting to pay dividends with several instances during the game of Francis running off his player from the back flank and creating some linking plays resulting in David Chapman and Mick Moritz scoring majors. Mick Moritz has continued with his great form finishing the game with 4 goals 3 behinds.
Whilst the EMU’s continued to drive ahead, the players helping out the RAMs stepped up led by Robert O’Connor running the wing and Kevin Dunque putting great pressure in the back line spoiling at every opportunity. Paul Lavar’s also showed a lot of pace around the ground delivering a Eddie Betts like goal from the boundary line with a great bending goal. Each quarter various players switched around to help the rams with Kevin Pascoe, Billy Smith and Glenn Muriel’s each playing a quarter. Darren Syaranamal also over came injuries to be a constant presenter in the forward line setting up several goals for the RAM’s, ending up being in the RAM’s best players for the day.
After half time Craig Taylor, Greg Boisgard and Aaron Prewett across the forward line continued to get clean possessions and drive the ball forward. Overall the EMU’s stepped up for the day with some great passages of play Jared Johnson marking, turning and after a bounce giving off a perfect 20 meter handball to Bruce McCohan who passed to Deanne Kelly for another goal.
In the final quarter the pace of the game slowed a little and the EMU’s fitter players shone through with Chris Hagan and Troy Ramsey getting plenty of it. Whilst tough men James Walsh and David Chapman were in there element placing several hard tackles causing turnovers. It did not all go the EMU’s way whilst some players shone Troy Arlow left the ground with a shiner from a stray elbow.
In front of a great home crowd the game was a great contest, the final siren resulting in the local team winning by a healthy margin. The EMU’s next game is in Mooroopna against the Goulburn Valley Giants.