EFL 2018: Ringwood left shocked after losing first game of the year in the Division 3 grand final

RINGWOOD was left shell-shocked after suffering their first defeat of the year in the Division 3 grand final as Boronia claimed an unlikely premiership.

IT was the perfect season that had the imperfect ending.

Ringwood entered the Eastern Football League Division 3 grand final with a 19-0 record, aiming to complete its undefeated season.

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Instead, the Redbacks were left shell-shocked after suffering their first defeat of the year when the ultimate prize was up for grabs as Boronia claimed an unlikely premiership win.

Ringwood coach Brett Rowe looks for answers. Picture: Davis Harrigan

Ringwood failed to match Boronia’s intensity and appetite for the contest, left to digest a season that had gone to waste.

It was the second consecutive season the Redbacks have finished as minor premier, failing to taste the ultimate success after being bounced out of finals in straight sets in 2017.

A dejected Ringwood coach Brett Rowe said just moments after the game that his side did not handle the Hawks’ heat.

“That was probably the most disappointing part and we spoke about it at halftime,” Rowe said.

“We knew they were going to come hard and the pressure was enormous but we just didn’t respond to it.

“During the year we’ve had teams bring that sort of pressure and we’ve responded really well but we just didn’t respond at all.”

An upset was on the cards at halftime when Boronia led by 12 points before Les Leete/Blue Ribbon medallist Luke Hannon booted three goals in a third quarter to bottle.

Hannon’s three goals came in a 12-minute burst to give the underdogs an unassailable 30-point lead at the final change.

Boronia captain Lachlan McKernan and coach Matt Clark show off the silverware. Picture: Davis Harrigan

Rowe implored his charges for one final effort as the game slipped from their grasp, but Brenden Rapisarda sealed the unlikely win when he snapped truly from the pocket at the nine-minute mark of the final quarter.

It sent hysterical Hawks fans into raptures, while Redbacks fans were left to wonder where it all went wrong.

Four of Ringwood’s goals came in junk time as Boronia finished with a 10.16 (76) to 8.12 (60) triumph.

Rowe said the overriding emotion was disappointment.

“To produce the brand of footy that we’re not known for and to produce it on the day that counted, that’s why I think we’re so disappointed,” he said.

“You have a look at the score, there was enough shots early but I think they probably just caught the guys off guard.

“We were prepared for it and we said that was what we were going to expect but we just couldn’t go with them.”

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