Sam Ramsay finding top form after early season injury issues and missing Vic Metro selection
Sam Ramsay has had plenty of hurdles to jump this season, concussion issues and missing Vic Metro selection have tested his mental toughness, but the Calder Cannons midfielder is starting to find his best form.
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Sam Ramsay is determined not to let his opportunity slip.
Injury cruelled Ramsay’s hopes of Vic Metro selection but the Calder Cannon has his sights firmly set on November’s AFL Draft.
After overcoming an early NAB League season concussion, the speedy midfielder has been in good form in the past month, averaging 20 disposals and three tackles in his last five games.
While missing out on the AFL Under-18 National Championships was disappointing, it is far from the end for Ramsay’s AFL hopes.
The Gisborne junior said he was building to his best form and hoped to prove any doubters wrong.
“I think (the season’s) going along all right. I’ve played some good games, I’ve played some average games,” Ramsay said.
“I had a few injuries at the start of the year, got knocked out a bit early.
“Definitely, I’ve got my sights set on (the draft) at the end of the year.
“There’s always 10-15 players that get drafted each year that don’t play for Metro, don’t play the national carnival.
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“(The coaches have been telling me) just to go back to the NAB League and play as well as I can and prove people wrong. Just show them what I can do.”
The Cannons hit a mid-season purple patch, winning three of four games, before crashing back to earth with a 69-point loss to Oakleigh a fortnight ago.
Ramsay hopes with the return of Brodie Newman, Daniel Mott and Harry Jones after the national championships, the Cannons can push for a NAB League finals berth.
Along with Ned Gentile, Jacob Martin and Max Simpson, Ramsay has stood up in his teammates’ absence, with Calder sitting seventh, just a game behind fourth.
“I think we’ve been playing better footy — except for the last game — so we’re on a pretty good run,” he said.
“We’re going better as a team — getting to know each other — and playing better footy together, so we’re on the way up.”
The Maribyrnong College student is a Melbourne supporter but models his game on a Fremantle star.
“I model myself on Brad Hill, he takes the game on with his speed, and good endurance, and a good kick,” Ramsay said.
“I can bring good decision making, good kicking and run and carry.
“I’ll say my tackling (still needs work), sometimes I stick my tackles, sometimes I don’t. My short kicking as well.”
The Cannons will resume their NAB League campaign against Western Jets on June 30.
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