EFL 2019: Brett Rowe’s classy act of sportsmanship after Division 2 grand final

Ringwood coach Brett Rowe walked into the opposition’s change rooms just moments after the thrilling finish to the EFL Division 2 grand final. He wasn’t there to complain about the controversial finish, but rather commend Mitcham on its victory.

The EFL Division 2 grand final may have ended in controversy, but Ringwood coach Brett Rowe provided one outstanding display of sportsmanship.

Just minutes following the after-the-siren result, Rowe walked into the opposition’s change rooms.

He was still coming to terms that his side let slip a 39-point quarter-time lead to suffer consecutive grand final defeats.

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Ringwood’s James Parker had a shot to win the decider after full-time.

.@MitchamFC win the @footyefl Division 2 grand final by inches! The Tigers trailed by 39 points at quarter-time and survived a kick after the siren. pic.twitter.com/WhOc3XJ3Bo

— Toby Prime (@T_Prime2) September 15, 2019

His shot was on target, but the goal umpire ruled the kick did not cross the goal line.

Neil Winterton and Jackson Glossop hoist the premiership cup. Picture: Andy Brownbill

It would have completed a remarkable victory after Ringwood trailed by eight points in the final minute.

Video footage has since divided opinion was to whether it was a goal.

But a classy Rowe commended Mitcham on its two-point win, encouraging the club to enjoy the spoils of the 12.12 (84) to 12.10 (80) win.

Players on the goal line in the EFL Division 2 grand final.

“It was just a great game of footy that was played in really good spirits,” Rowe said.

“We were clearly devastated by the loss and what had transpired but I just wanted to congratulate them on the game and how well they played.”

Rowe said he went into the rooms to congratulate Mitcham coach Neil Winterton before making an impromptu decision to talk to the Tigers’ players.

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“I think sometimes you’ve just got to acknowledge when there’s been a great game of footy,” he said.

“I’m glad we were a part of it but I was still devastated — and I still am — by the end result.

“I was walking past the rooms and I just thought, ‘I’m coming past, I hadn’t seen (Neil) after the game so I’ll just go in there’.

“That’s the kind of guy I am I guess. I like to acknowledge when things have been unbelievable and outstanding.

James Parker marks the ball on the siren. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“Irrelevant of the controversy that went with it, I just thought it was the acknowledgment of what a great game of footy it was.

“Mind you, it did hurt me saying it. I just felt it was something that needed to be acknowledged.”

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