EFL 2018: Brett Moyle re-signs at Eastern Football League club North Ringwood for 2019

NORTH Ringwood says finals will be a “non-negotiable” in 2019, eyeing its first top-tier finals series since 1991 after falling below expectations this year.

BRETT Moyle has re-signed at North Ringwood for 2019 with the view of taking the Saints to their first Division 1 premiership.

Moyle put pen to paper on a fresh contract last week, desperate to guide North Ringwood to its first top-flight finals series since 1991.

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The 38-year-old took the Saints to the Division 3 premiership in 2012 and the Division 2 flag in 2014 before returning to Quambee Reserve midway through 2017.

Despite logging just one win since Round 6 to slump to a 5-11 record, Moyle said North Ringwood’s standing on the Division 1 table did not reflect its potential.

A host of injuries to several key players, including Michael Locco, Mitch Keedle, Josh O’Brien, Curtis Dunne, Rob Petracca, Mitch Keedle, Josh O’Brien and Matthew Cullinan, has hurt the Saints’ 2018 campaign.

Brett Moyle lifts the 2014 Division 2 premiership cup. Picture: Susan Windmiller

“I’ve certainly said to people internally that I guess the hope was for us to play finals this year and seriously contend next year and that hasn’t transpired,” Moyle said.

“I still feel like we’ve got a list together that’s capable of that, we just haven’t been able to put anywhere near that list out on the park.

“If you’re missing 10 of your best side, no matter who you are in this competition, then you’re going to struggle.”

North Ringwood president Lee Robinson said the Saints intended of featuring in the top five in 2019.

“Finals to us are a non-negotiable for next year, we’ve had four years in Division 1 finishing around similar parts of the ladder every year,” Robinson said.

Robinson said a key position forward and defender were on the club’s recruiting wishlist for the summer.

“I don’t think there’s going to be too much (recruiting), two or three guys we need to add to our list to springboard back up into some serious finals calculations,” he said.

“We can get the ball and our midfield is probably one of the better midfields of the competition, but going forward we’re missing that key forward who can kick us 50-plus goals a year.”