EFL 2019: Balwyn thumps North Ringwood by 95 points

Balwyn did as expected in a thumping win over North Ringwood as Tigers forward Charlie Haley kicked a bag of goals against his former club.

Charlie Haley sits third on the EFL goalkicking table. Picture: Mark Dadswell/AAP

Balwyn coach Rodney Eade praised North Ringwood’s spirit but the Tigers did as expected in a 95-point rout of the Saints on Saturday.

Charlie Haley and Jeff Gobblels combined for 12 goals and Yarran Jaffer-Williams starred in the 24.12 (156) to 9.7 (61) win at Balwyn Park.

Haley’s haul of eight goals against his former club moved him to third on the goalkicking table, taking his season tally to 35.

But it wasn’t enough for best-on-ground honours.

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That accolade went to Jaffer-Williams for what Eade described as a “dominant” performance.

“He was magnificent for us,” Eade said.

“He would have had 35 (touches), kicked a couple and set them up and would have had 10 tackles.”

Balwyn had a 17-point lead at quarter-time and by the main break that advantage had extended to 51 points.

North Ringwood briefly pinched the lead in the first term before the home side piled on 16 of the next 18 goals.

Despite the comfortable victory, Eade said he was impressed by North Ringwood’s fighting qualities.

The Saints sit eighth on the EFL Premier Division table with a 3-9 record, while the Tigers are planning for a return to finals and are one of three sides locked on 36 premiership points.

“They’re undermanned … they’ve got a lot of injuries and they lost a couple more during the game,” Eade said.

“We went through it last year and it just hurts you, you can’t replace them. They only had 19 in the seconds and they’re short on numbers.

“They’re a side that’s got a bit of spirit, they’ve got a bit of spunk about them. They kept having a go, they just lacked a bit of polish and at times turnovers hurt them. That’s just having some quality players out.

“They did all right in the third quarter, they were a bit competitive but just a lack of polish at times hurt them.”

Balwyn hosts Rowville on Saturday at Balwyn Park.

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