News

Emotional farewell for Rama

Wednesday, 27 August 2008
Staff writers for essendonfc.com.au
Page 1 of 1

Retiring club champion, Adam Ramanauskas, will be remembered for his ability to rise from adversity - both in his personal health and his on-field capacity - according to former team-mate, Paul Barnard.

Having played with ‘Rama’ in the 2000 Premiership, Barnard says the then 19-year old had talent to burn.

“In his first year he played in a reserves Premiership and the next year in a seniors night and day premiership,” Barnard said.

“Not many other people can say they have done that. In his day, when he was up and going, he was as good as anyone. He was a very effective midfielder come half back.

“There was a bracket of them in 2000 including Rama, Mark and Jason Johnson and Dean Solomon. Those guys played a pivotal role. The football they played was the difference between us being a really good side and an outstanding side.”

On Sunday afternoon, Ramanauskas will join Jason Johnson, Damien Peverill and Mal Michael in their final games for the club.

“I think the proudest people there will be his wife, mum and dad and close family because they have been through the entire ride with Rama,” Barnard said.

“The credit has to go to his wife. She is an outstanding person and he has been a really good support. His family will be the ones with a tear in their eye.”

Barnard said Rama was very cheeky when he first came to the club but that he could back it up. More often than not Barnard was the target of his pranks.

“If Adam got bored he would start on a few of us that he knew we had a short fuse but he had a lot of pranks played on him too,” Barnard laughed.

“He doesn’t give away too much though. He wouldn’t tell us much when he got sick but that is the sort of guy he is. He never told us much and he never complained. He never said ‘why me’?

“You have to remember he is still young, only 27, and most people in professional life only get going in their mid 30’s so he has plenty of scope to find a new career after football.

“What he has experienced during 10-years at the club is incredible - he has certainly packed a lot into those years and it has certainly been a ride.”

While the Bombers won’t play in finals this year, the season has finished at a frantic pace. Last week the club announced Samsung as the new major sponsor from 2009 and thanked 3 mobile for eight great years.

The club has also announced that Damien Peverill, Andrew Lee, Danny Chartres, Dean Dick and Courtney Johns would not be offered new contracts and Jason Johnson, Mal Michael and Ramanauskas would retire.

Essendon play St Kilda at the Dome on Sunday and the club is hoping for a full-house.

Your comments

Latest comments on this story.

NEW! You can now view someone's Hangar profile directly from their news comments! Just click on the icon where it appears below. Haven't joined The Hangar yet? Click here for more info.

I'll be there with a tear in eye with out a doubt. Rama has been my fav player since 99,got 8 Rama badges on my 'jester hat'..Congrats Rama and thanks for being apart of the Essendon Football Club. Also thanks Mal,J.J and Pev.

- Samantha Kisielis (posted 27/08/2008 10:25:00 PM)

Rama you have been a fantastic member of the Essendon family from day one. I will always remember your contributions to all the matches you played in, some of those goals & marks, magic!I only wish for you the best of everything in life, post footy playing cheers & Thanks.

- Helen Scully (posted 28/08/2008 8:12:40 AM)

Congratulations on a wonderful football career Rama, you are truly an inspiration. GO BOMBERS!!!!

- Leah Calleja (posted 28/08/2008 8:17:38 AM)

Great stuff Rama - you've been an inspiration to us all. I'm sure there'll be a tear in my eye when the final siren sounds on Sunday night.

- Alex Price (posted 28/08/2008 9:28:13 AM)

good luck on sunday and you will be missed on the field and hopefully they get another inspirational player like you rama to wear the number 9. you are on my jumper as you are a strong person who has faught many battles and are a talented football player. You are ramtastic as family day in 2000 i yelled out fantastic when sheeds asked you how you played in the 2000 grandfinal. go bombers

- nadine ryan (posted 28/08/2008 10:38:25 AM)

It's a sad day to see these great players move on. I'll always have fantastic memories of watching these guys exhibit their craft. Thank you and good luck to you all. Injecting new talent aside, true guts and determination can't be taught, it's a gift. I only hope whatever new talent does come along, that they may have a fraction of your qualities and we might do alright. Now lets give the Saints a touch-up one last time hey, show 'em how good you really are. Bravo boys, bravo.

- Brendan Burnie (posted 28/08/2008 10:48:32 AM)

Please don't get rid of Andrew Lovett. He is a match winner. We don't have too many of them and we can't afford to give one away. He can change a game in a seconds. Please watch the Round 3 game against Carlton and then ask why you would want to trade a player of his talent. We haven't even seen the best of him yet. His got the speed and the skills to get the team into the finals next year. We need to give him one more chance or he will be playing for another side next year and our midfielders wont be able to catch him.

- Andrew Cichello (posted 28/08/2008 10:55:08 AM)

what can i say he,s name will be every where at essendon and hope he does something with a coaching role at essendon after football

- Luke Jones (posted 28/08/2008 11:23:53 AM)

Thanks Rama, your silky skills under pressure were great to watch, proves a good head can beat speedy legs anytime. It's rare nowadays in this big money driven AFL business, but your carrer has inspired people and thats a magnificent acheivement. Just a thought, how about handing your 9 jumper down to young Lonergan, he aint got your skills but he sure has your endeavour and commitment. Good luck champion.

- Brett Jukawics (posted 28/08/2008 12:21:44 PM)

Rama. You are a true inspiration. you define the meaning of the words 'courage' 'humble' 'class' etc etc....we will miss you and good luck in everything you do in the future WE LOVE YOU RAMA!

- Maddalena Galli (posted 28/08/2008 1:14:19 PM)

Through the good and the bad - Adam, Damien, Jason and Mal have worn the Red and Black with pride. They are proven warriors of the Essendon Football Club. I (including my family) wish to extend the best of luck to them and their families, as they continue their journey into the future.

- Victor Tallis (posted 28/08/2008 2:38:00 PM)

Rama you've been an inspiration for all of us, including my wife who had cancer and beat it! Best of luck in the future. To the Team, give it everything on Sunday and leave nothing behind. Rama, Johno and Pev should go out on a high. Go Bombers!

- Peter Venn (posted 28/08/2008 3:28:08 PM)

Rama congrats on a wonderful career all the best to you and your family and hope you stay in good health. you are an inspiration to us all.

- Matt Napier (posted 28/08/2008 3:35:23 PM)

Rama, J J, Pev - three great stalwarts of the footy club. All make you proud to be a bomber supporter.

- Shane Martin (posted 28/08/2008 8:58:42 PM)

Rama, you bloody beauty! Thanks for the memories, and thanks for the inspiration. Champion!!

- Martin Hasselbacher (posted 28/08/2008 10:08:32 PM)

Adam Ramanauskas it has been an absolute pleasure watching you on the field for the last 10 years.Your style of play was exciting to watch and I will miss calling out "come on Rama" when you were in possession of the ball. The very best of Luck and Good Health for your future and you have been an inspiration to all the way you have handled yourself in times of uncertainty. I for one looked to you for courage and positivety when I had my brush with cancer. You deserve the best of everything. Hope you may appear at the club in the future in another roll???

- Valerie Loweth (posted 29/08/2008 12:56:47 PM)

Thanks very much for all the good times and the enjoyment we supports have enjoyed during the good times and bad. Thanks for the lovely memories guys and all the very best to Mark, Jason (Johnson) Damien, Mal and my favourite player Adam. I will miss seeing you on the ground in 2009. Take care Rama - love Shirley Price

- Shirley Price (posted 30/08/2008 3:12:02 PM)

Add your own comment now!