The two week break cost the Roos with a slow start in the first quarter. The Roos defence was working overtime but the Rams jumped away to a strong lead at quarter time. A late shot for goal by Cam Attwell from a tight angle missed and left the Roos trailing 0-4-4 to 5-2-32.

The Roos needed to regroup in a hurry. Yass got the first goal through Paul Willersdorf after a build-up out of defence. The Rams made every possession a contest and although Yass had got back on the attack they couldn’t dominate. A late goal to Daniel Smith and a scoreless quarter by the Rams had Yass closer but still with plenty to do. Yass was coming back 2-7-19 to Rams 5-2-32.

Yass was again on the attack in the third quarter but too many wayward kicks caused turnovers that kept the Roos defence under pressure. Heath Lowry broke the drought deep in the quarter with a goal following a 50 metre penalty and after a great clearance by the Roos backline, Vaughn Winnel managed another major late in the quarter to set up a thrilling last quarter. The Rams still led but only just 5-3-33 to Yass 4-7-31.

It was an intense struggle in the last quarter. The Rams added the first two scores but both were behinds. A counter attack from the second kick-out had Yass in its forward fifty and Vaughn Winnel ran in to score a goal that put the Roos in front for the first time. The impressive crowd of Yass supporters was in fine voice and determined to cheer the team home. With time ticking away and the Roos in front by two points, the Rams had worked the ball into their 50 metre area. A kick for goal went astray and with a minute to go there was only a point in it. Yass had to hold the Rams out. The siren went and the Roos won by one point in a heartbreaker. The final score was Yass 5-8-38 over the Rams 5-7-37.

The Roos will take on ANU Griffin in the grand final at Manuka Oval on Saturday from 11.30am. Get behind the Roos as they contest their second premiership.