Woden Valley Rams: Season Preview

It’s a celebration year for the Woden Valley Rams with the club to commemorate their 60th season, as the Canberra Raiders Cup side looks to return to the finals.

Meanwhile, the Katrina Fanning Shield team will look to build on their Preliminary Final appearance from last year.

In the Ladies League Tag, the Woden Valley Rams enter the season in unfamiliar territory, as for the first time in four seasons they won’t be the defending premiers.

The Canberra Raiders Cup side has experienced high level of changeover across the offseason, with local juniors Daine Spencer and Sean Maloney appointed as Captain Co-Coaches for the season ahead.

In a boost for the club, Woden Valley junior Jackson Stuart returns to the club, after years spent playing Rugby Union and whilst he enjoyed his time in the fifteen-man code, the outside back was looking for a change.

“I've been in rugby union for the last six years and really enjoyed it but have always loved rugby league and was getting the itch to come back,” Stuart said.

“I enjoyed my time at the Queanbeyan Whites, made a lot of good mates there, just love rugby league, wanted to make the change, and so far, loving it, it's been a great change into the culture at the Rams, been very seamless.”

In a big year for the club, the Woden Valley Rams will celebrate their 60th year, with this playing a big role in bring Stuart back to the club.

“The 60th year is something we've been looking forward to, and that was a big part of getting me back to the club, and it gets me really excited.”

Stuart is excited about the opportunity to play alongside Spencer and Maloney, noting the fact that his coaches are in the trenches with him during the offseason inspires the playing group.

“They’ve kind of grown into more and more each week, and training been tough, and they are going through with it with you. So, knowing that your coaches are going through the hard yards with you, kind of keeps you going hard as well.”

The Katrina Fanning Shield side enter off the back of a Preliminary Final loss against the eventual premiers in the West Belconnen Warriors, with Jaymie Napier believing this is the year they take the leap.

“We’re looking stronger than ever, and I feel like this could definitely be the year we make it to the end,” Napier said.

As a junior, Napier has made her way through the ranks at the Rams and is pleased that this has been established for future generations.

“Every year, I feel like you see more and more juniors coming up and more and more girls joining the tackle, which is awesome.”

The competition will have the collective task of having to slow down last year Maree Bush Medalist Lara Cosgrove, with Napier declaring the key to the talented number one having another great season is the side’s connectivity.

“I feel like staying connected, always having her back through everything and obviously someone with her talent always has a lot of eyes on her all the time, but I feel like she can definitely handle it, she's very much used to it.”

For the Ladies League Tag side, they enter this year looking to bounce back after suffering defeat on Grand Final day last year, with this providing the group with a newfound drive according to Emma McDonald.

“It gives us a bit of drive to come back and play hard and be better next year,” McDonald said.

“Continuing to strive for improvement and always being better.”

“We’re looking forward to being back better than ever and having a really good season.”

McDonald believes the right mix of existing players and exciting juniors will spark her side’s ability to bounce back.

“We’ve got a few girls back and a few strong juniors coming up, plus a new coach this year, which is exciting as well.”

The Reserve Grade and Under 19 sides both missed out on the top four and will be aiming to return to finals action.