It’s been an awful first half of the year for the Penrith Ramettes, but the club is calling on its supporters to be patient as they transition through a rebuilding period.
After 10 rounds the Ramettes are yet to win a game in the AFL Sydney Women’s Division 1 competition, but the club’s Director of Female Football Greg Corless is confident good times are ahead.
When the joint venture between Penrith and the Auburn Giants broke down at the end of last season, the Ramettes were forced to go out on their own and recruit new talent.
Unfortunately they weren’t able to secure any experienced players from rival clubs and instead had no choice but blood up to 10 debutants.
The Ramettes also lost many top line players – including former GWS Giants star Renee Tomkins – when they were relegated from the Premier Division.
Speaking with the Weekender, Corless said it’s been a tough start to the season but there are small signs of improvement.
“Our three gun forwards Renee Tomkins, last year’s leading goal scorer Melissa Brydon and Nikki Perrett all left us for various reasons. We’ve been running around every week with nine or 10 first year players,” he said.
“After some floggings earlier in the season they are starting to improve each week but we are rebuilding.”
The Ramettes have suffered some shocking losses this season including a 72-8 thrashing at the hands of Manly-Warringah and a 98-12 drubbing courtesy of Pennant Hills.
Corless said despite the heavy defeats, his players are still enthusiastic and showing a willingness to learn, providing confidence that good times are ahead.
“The girls are still very keen and enthusiastic despite the losses. Many of them are athletic, so once they click they will be good,” he said.
“We’ve got a very strong top six but our bottom six to eight players fall down a bit but they’re still learning, they’ve never played before.”
The Ramettes will return home this Saturday morning to battle the Pennant Hills Demons at Greygums Oval.
Nathan Taylor is the Weekender’s Deputy Editor and Senior Sports Writer. He also compiles the weekly Chatter on the Box TV column. Nathan is an award-winning journalist, who has worked at the Weekender for a decade.
