Rams seek to break losing streak

Had Deni kicked slightly straighter they probably would have won, alas, it wasn’t to be.

Other losses were against Finley and a strong Mulwala outfit.

The Rams had last week to recoup, with a split round bye.

This weekend's clash with the Eagles will present a perfect opportunity to snap the losing streak, build on their performance and try to get their season back on track.

There have been plenty of factors affecting the Rams over this period, including injuries and unavailability.

But, like most sides, they won’t be using it as an excuse.

Both Deni and Echuca sit on two wins and three losses from their five games played, separated only by percentage.

Echuca United have had a really tough go of it from a fixture standpoint, having come up against three Murray League powerhouses in a row for the last three rounds - Moama, Cobram and last year's premiers, Congupna.

Echuca suffered losses in each.

Deni won’t be tested against the trio of strong clubs until later in the season, over a period of four weeks.

The winner of this weekend’s clash would move to a more respectable win:loss record.

With both in the middle of the ladder, it could also be season defining.

Having the wood over a side who has an identical record to you, with hopes of playing finals, can boost confidence.

Rams senior football head coach Gary Parsons said Echuca United regularly bring a tough brand of football, and he said there would be no exception this weekend.

“It’s always a good, hard contest against Echuca United,” he said.

“They’re always a physical and competitive side.”

Parsons confirmed that after the top four sides, there is a tight battle on for the remaining finals positions.

“The sides fighting between fifth and eighth are hardly separated, with matches decided by eight to 10 points - as we’ve seen in some of our recent matches, with this match to be similar.

“We expect it to go for all four quarters.”

Parsons said the split round bye last week has allowed the playing list, which he says has been developing nicely, to refresh.

“It would be good to possibly get Charlie Hillier, Todd Gallagher and Brock Redden back this week.

“It has come at a good time for us, especially for the young guys. Not necessarily physically, but to mentally refresh.

“We’ve got several good young players, including Chase Bartlett and Jai Park, who are teenagers and who should be really good players for us into the future.

“It’s also great to see guys like Miller Fitzpatrick and Ben East get and take that opportunity to play senior football after playing plenty of reserves football the last couple of years.”

Tomorrow, the Rams proudly celebrate their Indigenous Round with all grades of football and netball wearing their special Indigenous jumpers and netball bibs in honour of club Life Member Robbie Gittens.

Parsons said it means a lot to the club.

“We’ve had a fair few indigenous players at the club, and Rob Gittens was at the club for many years. He helped design the jumper we’ll wear.

“He passed away a couple of years ago, so it definitely holds a special place for us, which we’re keen to respect.”

The football kicks off with the fourths at 9.15am, the thirds at 10.45am and the reserves at 12.20pm.

In the netball, the under-11s and under-15s start at 9.45am, with the under-13s and under-17s at 10.45am before B-grade and C-Res at 12pm.

The special Indigenous Round Ceremony is at 2pm, where the Rams invite all players to gather on the oval in their jumpers and bibs for a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony.

Seniors football starts after the ceremony, and A-grade and C-grade netball gets going at 2.30pm.