EFL 2018: Knox picks the perfect day to end its long wait for a Division 1 victory, claiming 32-point win over East Ringwood

IN A battle of the Eastern Football League cellar dwellers, winless Knox saluted for its first victory of the season with a 32-point triumph over East Ringwood at Argyle Way.

FOR Knox, opportunity indeed knocked.

In the battle of the Eastern Football League Division 1 cellar dwellers, the winless Falcons saluted for their first win of the season after a 32-point triumph over East Ringwood at Argyle Way.

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After holding a 12-point advantage at the main break, Knox kept the Roos to two goals in the second half to finish with a 12.13 (85) to 7.11 (53) win — its first Division 1 victory since Round 18, 2016.

While there were jubilant scenes in the Knox rooms, the result meant East Ringwood would be joining Knox in relegation from the top tier as part of the EFL restructure.

Knox coach David Madigan estimated there were as many as 10 players who enjoyed their first senior win.

“We had our past players day so there was a good crowd on, the changerooms were packed after the win and the clubrooms were pumping for a bit in the evening,” Madigan said.

“We had consistent performers across the ground and, again, a few of our younger guys that have got five or six games under the belt now are starting to find the pace of the game.”

Knox enjoyed its first win of the season on Saturday. Picture: David Smith.

Harry Greaves put in his best game of the year with a three-goal haul, Rob Maibaum held the defence together after Jesse Plostins went down early, while Ryan Wilson, Jack Beech and James Curtiss were influential through the midfield.

With difficult assignments against Rowville, Balwyn and Doncaster to close the season, Madigan acknowledged Saturday was “in all likelihood” his side’s final attempt to avoid a winless season.

“We’ve played some good patches of football in games and at times against the top teams in the competition but not able to do it long enough to make a dent,”

“It was probably our best four-quarter effort for the year, there was a little bit of breeze … we were able to make the most of it and we were able to pinch a couple of goals up the other way as well.”

Elsewhere in Division 1, Vermont found some resemblance of form after a 42-point win over Rowville.

In Division 2, Bayswater defeated Mitcham by 79 points, while Upper Ferntree Gully ended Wantirna South’s finals hopes with a 32-point win.

In Division 3, The Basin defeated South Belgrave by nine points, Scoresby had a 10-goal victory over Ferntree Gully and Boronia defeated Warrandyte by 66 points.

In Division 4, Whitehorse Pioneers defeated Fair Park by 67 points.