Tom McCallum has been important for the Rams seniors as shown last match against Numurkah.
The Deni Rams return from the Murray League bye tomorrow for their round 13 clash away from home against the Mulwala Lions.
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With six rounds of the home and away season left before finals, teams are keen to make a strong push to compete in September.
In the netball, the Deni Rams A-grade and under-17s sides are leading the way for the club, both in fourth on the ladder.
The under-13s are seventh on the ladder, the B-grade and under-15s teams are both in ninth, while C-reserve and C-grade continue to compete in 11th and 12th place respectively.
On the football field, it is the juniors leading the way with the fourths second on the ladder with only one loss for the season so far. It was by two points away from home against Cobram two rounds ago.
They play Mulwala in a second versus third match up tomorrow.
The thirds are also in good position in fourth on the ladder, having only lost to the three teams above them - Cobram, Moama and Mulwala - this season. Tomorrow’s opponents are just one rung above them on the ladder.
Meanwhile, the senior footballers currently sit in eighth and the reserves are 10th. Both will have to continue to fight to be in contention at the end of the year.
In their round 12 match, the Rams’ seniors lost by 47 points but competed well at home, even leading by two goals at quarter time.
Rams senior football assistant coach John Anstee said the side showed plenty of fight.
“We had a really good preparation and started getting that energy going in the right direction. Then Numurkah came out and started to get some ascendancy, I thought, particularly through the midfield.
“It was a nice battle but disappointing to not come away with a win, and to not get a better result on Sponsors’ day. But it was good to enjoy a good day at the club.
“Everyone continued to fight until the end, even if Numurkah were too good on the day and got the win.”
Miller Fitzpatrick gets the ball away against Numurkah.
The Rams have had plenty of young players in the team this season, and have been plagued by injury.
But the team is tracking well following the league-wide bye last week, Anstee said.
“We’ve got quite a young list, but it has been good to give younger guys bigger roles this year, so it was probably good to get that break.
“We’ve got some young guys coming up from the thirds and being the sub. For example, we saw young Rory Smith make his debut earlier in the year.
“It is nice to be a part of a club with a great culture, bringing the younger guys through.
“You’ve also got players like Tom McCallum and Miller Fitzpatrick leading the way and really enjoying their football, which is great to see.”
Anstee said tomorrow’s game against the third-placed Mulwala is a chance for the Rams to put their best foot forward.
“It is one of the tougher tasks in our league to play Mulwala at their home ground.
“Last year, against them in the finals, was one of the best victories the club has had in the last few years.
“They’re a tough challenge, but we believe if we can play our best footy, we can beat any side in the competition.
“Our aim is to nullify what Mul bring, and they’ll be nice and fresh as well, so it should be a challenging contest.
“All in all, it is another opportunity for us to give it a crack and play some good footy.”
Tom McCallum looks to kick from a stopped play in the Rams seniors' last match.
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