EFL 2019: North Ringwood coach Paris Harvie settling in at the Eastern Football League club

North Ringwood coach Paris Harvie expects this season to be a “learning” year for his side after he answered the club’s call to fill the senior coaching void.

Paris Harvie during his tenure at Mooroolbark. Picture: Hamish Blair

North Ringwood coach Paris Harvie expects this season to be a “learning” year for his side after he answered the club’s call to fill the senior coaching void.

Harvie was announced as the Saints mentor for 2019 on Boxing Day after Brett Moyle stepped down from the role in November due to work and family commitments.

He had signed at Quambee Reserve as an assistant before accepting the senior coaching reins for this season.

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Harvie, who has had previous coaching stints at Doncaster East, South Croydon and Mooroolbark, said he did not have any expectations on what North Ringwood could achieve this year.

“What we’re hoping is to be competitive with everyone and obviously whatever we achieve this year, whether it’s making finals or missing finals, we think we’ll be better equipped next year,” Harvie said.

“Coming in late and doing a bit of a list analysis, there is a couple of areas we would like to improve in but we can give opportunities to a few young kids and see how they stand up.

“This year will be a bit of a feeling, learning year for both the players and myself as to what we can achieve. I’m not 100 per cent sure on that regard, we just hope we can be competitive against everyone.

“It’s really about learning for me what their capabilities are.”

Hopes were lifted North Ringwood could challenge the competition’s top sides this year after announcing former Fremantle ruckman Michael Apeness had joined the club.

Apeness, 200cm and 105kg, spent five years on the Dockers’ list but managed just 12 games after a number of injuries plagued his time at the elite level.

Former Montrose forward Billy Schilling has also joined the Premier division club.

Michael Apeness flies for a mark during his time at Fremantle. Picture: Daniel Wilkins

Michael Locco, Rob Petracca, Mitch Keedle and Josh O’Brien will also play important roles this year after missing parts of last season with injury.

But the Saints will be without midfielder Marcus Joyner after he ruptured an anterior cruciate ligament at training last month.

“He needs a full reconstruction, which is a massive blow for us,” Harvie said.

“It was a pretty devastating blow to be honest, especially when you’re in training and something like that happens. The morale drops, which it did for a couple of sessions after, but devastating for everyone involved.”

Harvie said North Ringwood had retained its list from last year.

“I haven’t heard of any of their contracted players leaving and they’ve all turned up to training,” he said.

“I’m led to believe, and I’ve asked the question myself, that we haven’t had any players leave.”

North Ringwood opens its season against Rowville on April 6.

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