Sport
23 March, 2025
Three-peat the goal for raring to go Rats
THE Ararat Rats are still a few weeks away from the first bounce of their 2025 Wimmera Football and Netball League.
THE Ararat Rats are still a few weeks away from the first bounce of their 2025 Wimmera Football and Netball League.
But, with the premiership flags of the last two years to be flying high at Alexandra Oval, coaches Tom Williamson and Tom Mills are not shying away from their aim of a third.
“I don't think it's any secret, that's our goal for the year,” Williamson said.
“It'll be awesome if the club could get to that feat, but we understand at the same time, there's so much work between now and then to get ourselves prepared.”
The Rats have played two practice matches already, and have a third on Saturday, March 29 against Hamilton at Alexandre Oval.
“We've got a rough idea of how the team is looking,” Mills said.
“We’ve got four or five new blokes, so trying to see where they fit in is probably really what we're looking at the moment.”
Williams highlighted Naish McRoberts as a recruit who is likely to play a role in the Rats new season.
“He's obviously a well known name around town, and he'll add a lot to our midfield,” Williamson said.
“He can play forward and kick goals as well, he's a strong body, he's ferocious at the ball.”
Nick Pell, Sam Lowes, Brayden Draffin and Harry Gamley also joined the Rats for season 2025 and Williamson and Mills tipped to play strong roles within the team.
With two strong premiership-winning years in the Rats most recent seasons, Williamson and Mills were asked what’s being done to rey and step up their side’s game again.
“Every preseason, we try and build on what we've done in previous years,” Williamson said.
“We're pretty fortunate, we can get all our blokes here at training, that's really important for us.
“We just challenge everyone, every session we get here, just to be better and better within themselves, and if everyone does that, our team will go to another level.”
The Ararat Rats 2025 WFNL season kicks off at home on Saturday, March 12, as the side takes on the Horsham Demons at Alexandra Oval.