Saturday is shaping as the end of an era for the Dubbo Rams basketball side with a number of players set to run out with the team for the final time.
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There is already plenty of motivation for the Rams as they prepare to head to Queanbeyan for their final Waratah State League game of the season, as it is their last chance to score a win in 2016.
Last on the ladder, the Rams are desperate to finish the season on a positive and send out a number of players on a high.
“I’ve had about five blokes say to me already that they’re done with State League because they’re getting to retirement age or moving away,” coach Damien Reid said.
“But I’m quite confident we can match it with Queanbeyan. It’s tough on the road but they’ve slumped the last few rounds so we might be catching them at the right time.”
The likes of Mark Willis, Dan Medway, Kristjan Reinhold and Zac Mills are expected to farewell the Rams after Saturday.
Medway, Mills and Reinhold are all set to move from Dubbo, with the latter returning to his homeland of Estonia as soon as next week, while the hard-working Willis has told Reid he is retiring.
“He’s one of those gritty players who doesn’t mind getting physical and bangs his body around,” Reid said of Willis.
“And it looks like it’s all caught up to him, he’s been saying he’s been sore all season.”
Tributes have flowed from the Dubbo Basketball Association for long serving member Medway as he prepares to move to Canberra, and Reid stated he was another player who will be “hard to replace”.
The same goes for Reinhold, who has been a big hit in his two years at Dubbo.
“Just what he brings to the court, his energy and tenacity in all aspects,” Reid said of the Estonian.
“He’s not shy in giving away a foul either, even at times when we probably don't want him too.”
All those players, and the rest of the squad, will be key on Saturday evening against the Yowies.
Queanbeyan are fifth on the ladder and suffered a shock loss to Illawarra, a side Dubbo lost to in overtime recently, earlier this month.
While a win is top of the agenda for Reid, his main aim is to see his side play with the kind of unity and spirit they’ve shown all season.
“As long as we are positive in everything we do,” he said.
“The biggest part for us in the last couple of years is that there’s been some tension in the team and that’s not there anymore.
“We’ve gone on long bus trips with a full side so that’s great to have players available all season.”
Tip-off is at 6pm.