Rams make double play, signing Bundoora duo to the Murray league

A country club has secured a huge double signing with the arrival of two of metro footy’s biggest stars.

Former Richmond and Western Bulldogs forward Sam Lloyd will be looking to win another premiership with his junior club, Deniliquin Rams, when he returns to play for them next year.

And his Bundoora teammate Hamish Shepheard will join him.

In a major coup for the Murray league outfit, the Rams have signed the two ex-AFL players from the Northern league powerhouse.

Lloyd has won the past two best and fairests for Bundoora.

Before his AFL success he played for the Rams and helped the team to win the 2011 Murray league premiership.

Shepheard is one of the premier ruckman in metro football, being named previously in the Northern league Team of the Year.

A former Fremantle rookie, he’s also played in the WAFL, the NEAFL and VFL.

“Sam’s always had a strong connection to Deni and the Deni community,” Rams president Julia Druitt said.

“It was always an intention for Sam to come back and get involved in the Rams again.

“He’s still a very good player and a massive pick up for us at the club.

“Now it’s the right timing.”

Druitt said Shepheard is someone the club was after in the off-season, a key position player who can play in the ruck or up forward.

“He played with Sam at Bundoora with Sam winning the best and fairest and Hamish finishing second (this year),” she said.

“It was (a ruckman) something we missed in our side last year.

“To have someone of his calibre is fantastic.”

Druitt said both would work with their youthful team to help them rise up the ladder.

The Rams finished ninth last season.

With gradual improvement, and the two recruits, the club is confident a rise up the ladder isn’t too far away.

“It was a great opportunity to give some younger and upcoming players and opportunity to play some football,” Druitt said,

“Also we’re very pleased with the foundations we’ve built last year and the year before with the hope a bit of recruitment next year might see some success in 2024.”

The loss of Lloyd and Shepheard at Bundoora adds to the departure of coach Michael Ryan.

The team lost it’s second straight grand final in the Northern league to Heidelberg last month.