Garry Ramsay has thanked the NFL’s clubs for ensuring the league was close to full strength in its AFL Victoria Community Championships win.
The NFL romped to victory over the Western Region Football League on Saturday, winning 24.17 (161) to 5.6 (36) at Preston City Oval.
Ramsay, who this year coached the representative side for the first time, said the support shown by all NFL clubs played a vital part in the league’s first senior representative win since 2014.
“I was very impressed with the support from the clubs,” Ramsay said.
“The clubs actually put players forward and didn’t try to hide players. They suggested players that we might have missed initially and they all got it right because the clubs know their players better than anyone else.
“It was great not to have the total responsibility myself. In the end it was a side that was picked by the clubs as well.”
After a tight first quarter that produced just one goal, the NFL’s midfield got right on top to help the home side draw away to a big win.
Montmorency’s Stephen McCallum was awarded the medal as the NFL’s best player, with Jordan Perry, Lucas Hobbs, Jesse Donaldson and Anton Woods also putting in strong performances.
The forward line relished the work of the midfield, with Ash Close and James Kroussoratis each finishing with five majors, while Josh Grabowski chimed in with three.
“The four on-ballers were outstanding,” Ramsay said.
“Between Steve (McCallum), Jesse (Donaldson), Hobbsy (Lucas Hobbs) and Jordan Perry they were all fantastic.
“The two rucks did a great job as well to give the midfielders first use. It was really tough to name the six best because I really thought everyone did their job well right across the board.
“We were a long way behind in clearances in the first quarter but we were still in front on the scoreboard. That suggested that the backline had held up really well. The backline did a really good job in the first quarter.
“After that we really got on top in the stoppages and centre clearances and that really dictated the game after that.”
Ramsay expressed pride with the commitment shown by his playing group on match day and in the lead-up to the game.
He said the players’ response following the win demonstrated the importance of representative football to the group.
“There are some lovely photos from the presentation and you look at the smiles on everyone’s faces,” Ramsay said.
“The day meant something to people and that’s what we want. I know I had a great day and all my coaching staff had a great day and it looked like the players had a great day as well.
“There were only six or seven that doubled over from the year before, but those who did have been involved in two losses in a row. It was nice to get a win on the board and show that we are a strong league.”
The win pushed the NFL into fourth place on the AFL Victoria Community Championships rankings ahead of a showdown against the Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League next year.
The MPNFL defeated the NFL by 30 points at Rye’s R.J. Rowley Reserve in 2016.
“To get another crack at Mornington Peninsula is something to look forward to,” Ramsay said.
“To go up to the 3 vs 4 game means we are one win away from playing off in the 1 vs 2 match. For this group there is something to aim at.”
WATCH – NFL v WRFL match replay
