Western Rams end 78-game winless run with win over North Sunshine
The longest losing streak in Victorian local footy ended in emphatic fashion on Saturday. Here’s how it happened and all the pictures from an emotional day.
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The longest losing streak in Victorian local footy is over.
It ended at 78 games on Saturday afternoon as the Western Rams dominantly prevailed against North Sunshine in a Western Football Netball League clash, 31.12 (198) to 3.3 (21)
It was the first time the Rams have sung the club song since May 5, 2018 — a wait of more than 2200 days.
The bench rode every bump, applauded every one percenter and groaned at every mistake.
It was nothing short of a commanding display to three-quarter time but — even as his side pulled away — Rams coach Ash Pritchard demanded more.
At three-quarter-time, Pritchard told his players to enjoy the final quarter.
“Enjoy it, play unselfish footy, play for the love,” he encouraged.
The Rams did exactly that.
Whatever has happened in the last six years was quickly forgotten for two hours of footy.
This was a group of players determined to lift the Western Rams out of the depths of despair.
Minutes after the Rams had sung the song with water, beer and just about everything else flying across the huddle, coach Ash Pritchard took a moment to reflect.
In his first year as coach, he ended the drought but he was quick to say it was “all about these boys”.
“I almost started crying in the last quarter, I am just so incredibly proud of this group,” he said.
“The last quarter was one of passion, a lot of excitement, a lot of fun and a lot of love for each other.
“This is a big statement for the club, not to the league, just the club in people and those who have supported us through the really dark times.
“They were set in a mould for so long, we broke that mould today. We’ve got to create our own destiny from here.
“We’ve got a long way to go but this a good point to show the guys what they’re capable of, it just needs to be more consistent.”
Pritchard described the performance as the “first four-quarter effort” of the season.
Jarryd Underwood had a day out in front of goal with 10 majors as as Rams skipper Ryan Tyson found plenty of the footy.
Jared Scott broke lines with his leg speed while Tyler Lewis ran on top of the ground all day.
“To be honest with you, he should be playing at a higher level than he is but he’s stuck with us,” Pritchard said of Lewis.
“We’re all starting to connect, a lot more than we have in the past.”
Bendigo league battlers Maryborough now own the longest losing streak in the state after suffering a loss to Castlemaine.
North Sunshine’s own losing streak now sits at 47 games, the second most in the state.
For the Roadrunners, Anthony Ryan was a shining light on a difficult day with three goals.
To their credit, when Ryan kicked his side’s first of the day after halftime and the game well and truly done, teammates still came from everywhere to celebrate.
ALL THE PHOTOS FROM SATURDAY’S WIN
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