ADFA Rams wrap up top season

ADFA Rams wrapped up on an exceptional year of Australian Rules Football in the Canberra and District League. With two men’s teams and one women’s team, the returns for season 2002 were remarkable.

Not known as the biggest sporting club at the academy but arguably the most powerful, the ADFA Rams reaped the benefits of significant leadership from both on and off-field leaders.

After only one training session early in March, the Rams came third in the local Canberra pre-season competition. Two more training sessions later and a premiership win was achieved at the inaugural Kapooka 12s Knock-out Competition against HMAS Cerberus.

At the end of the successful season, including much single service and combined service representation of the midshipmen and officer cadets, the ADFA Rams firsts finished on top of the Canberra and District League table, albeit with two late season losses.

The Rams were well prepared for their grand final and their performance both at training and during the second semi-final indicated that a worrying slump in form over the later part of the season had been arrested.

Coming up against Belconnen in the grand final, it was critical the Rams got off to a good start and in the first quarter the Rams kicked five goals to two to open up a handy quarter-time break.

The remainder of the game saw the Rams progressively take control of the match. A challenge by Belconnen in the second quarter was nullified with two late goals and the first signs of cracks in the opposition’s composure began to emerge. After the main break, the Rams took control of the game and had established a five-goal lead by three quarter time. Despite kicking against the breeze in the final quarter, the Rams were able to increase the lead and run out winners by seven goals.

It was a magnificent team effort both throughout the year and during the grand final itself. All 22 players are worthy of mention but two put in a special effort. OCdt Andrew Abbey consistantly provided the team with drive out of the middle and ruckman OCdt David Woerner dominated the game both in the ruck and around the ground where he took a number of telling marks.

OCdt Woerner was subsequently named best on ground for the Rams’ grand final victory. Final scores were 14.7(91) to 7.8(50).

As well as this grand final win, the Rams also dominated the league best and fairest. OCdt Ian Firns was named league and club best and fairest for the Canberra and District League 1, OCdt Kelly McFarlane was named league and club best and fairest for the ACT Women’s AFL and OCdt Daniel Waugh came third in the best and fairest of the Canberra and District League 2. The Rams also had the leading goal kicker of the Canberra and District League 1, Capt Clayton Wehener.

Not content with these victories, the Rams then loaded on a bus and took of to Adelaide to compete in the 2003 Australian University Games. This was a much different competition, coming against teams of equal youth, fitness and agility.

Traditional university football powerhouses from Melbourne included Victoria and Ballarat and these looked strong and hard to beat.

A unique and most enjoyable week culminated with wins against Victoria University, Australian National University, University of New South Wales and Flinders University.

A small loss against Ballarat was telling on final places and the class of Melbourne University, a traditional AFL recruiting ground, was quite awesome.

The Rams finished fifth overall in the University Games from 16 teams, finishing the second highest non-Victorian team. The Rams also had two players selected in the Australian Universities Australian Football Team, OCdt Will Langdon and Capt Gareth Lewis.

Overall the Rams have had a monumental year and are looking to further their success by achieving two more premierships in 2003.