The senior footballers side will be relishing the opportunity to start the season off on the right foot and set the stone for the season.
In the off-season and preseason, the Rams have had what could be described as a changing of the guard.
A number of experienced senior footballers defected to the Picola League and Tocumwal, but the Rams have recruited well to fill the gap.
Key among them will be brothers Sam and Cooper Willoughby (see page 24).
The club has a youthful leadership group, fresh with new ideas and a hunger to succeed.
Mick Barnett will be the outright captain of the senior side, and will be supported by vice-captains Harry Hillier, Will Henderson and Cable Fitzpatrick, all more than capable senior footballers.
Last year, the Rams and the Hawks came together to play twice, the first at the Barooga Recreation Reserve in round 12, and then in round 18 at the Hardinge St Oval.
On the first occasion, Deni were able to win away from home with 09.13 (67) to Barooga’s 04.07 (31).
The best players from the first encounter were Jake Hobbs, Todd Gallagher, Hamish Shepheard, Ricky Gittens, Douglas Billings and Angus Durnan.
The second game was no better for the Hawks, as Deni piled on the goals at home.
They were comfortable winners - 18.09 (117) to Barooga’s 05.04 (34).
By the end of the 2024 season, the Barooga Hawks could only muster two wins from a total of 18 games.
The Rams eventually made a finals run in the seniors, playing and beating Mulwala in the first week, then falling short to Moama, who they had beaten during the home and away season.
The Hawks have made no big recruitment announcements publicly, so may be in for a long afternoon when they play the youthful Deni Rams.
But no side can be underestimated.
Beyond their youth, the Rams are a side usually known for their fitness, attributed to the size of their home ground, the Hardinge St Oval, a facet of the game they could very well take advantage of on Saturday despite being in Barooga.
Football games on the day will be starting with the fourths from 9.15am, followed by the thirds footballers at 10.45am, the reserves at 12.20pm and finally the seniors at 2pm.
On the netball courts, junior games will begin early with under-11s and under-15s at 9.45am, then the under-13s and under-17s at 10.45am.
In the senior netball games, C-reserve and B-grade will play at 12pm, and C-grade and A-grade from 1.30pm.
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