EFL 2019: Ringwood looking for grand final redemption
Ringwood coach Brett Rowe says his side is desperate to atone for last year’s shock grand final defeat when it meets Mitcham in the EFL Division 2 decider.
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The disappointment from last year’s shock grand final defeat is driving Ringwood towards redemption this September.
The Redbacks’ first defeat in 2018 was in the decider when Boronia caused a boilover.
Ringwood coach Brett Rowe said his side’s semi-final performance against Boronia highlighted the motivation in his group.
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The Redbacks had to defend against the wind, which Rowe described as a “three-goal advantage”, in the August 31 fixture when they led by just four points at three-quarter time.
But Rowe’s side went on to record a 14-point victory to advance to the last game of the season.
“There’s a real drive in them now and I’ve seen it,” Rowe said.
“When I look at that last quarter (in the semi-final), I can see it means a lot to them now and they really do want it.
“They could have easily thrown it in when they realised they were going to go up against the breeze.
“I’ve been proud of them during the year, but I’ve never been more proud of them than then.
“They really dug deep as a group and just willed themselves to the end.”
This year is Ringwood’s fifth consecutive finals campaign.
It was knocked out of the flag race in the preliminary final in 2016 and 2017, including a straight sets exit two years ago when it finished as minor premier.
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Rowe took the Redbacks through the home-and-away rounds with an 18-0 record last year in his first season in the job.
“Last year was a great opportunity and we let it slip,” he said.
“As the year has gone along, all of a sudden the belief (grows) and you start thinking, ‘maybe, maybe’ but all we’ve done now is given ourselves an opportunity to make amends.
“That’s all we’ve done.”
Ringwood will meet Mitcham in Sunday’s grand final after the Tigers eliminated Boronia from the flag race in straight sets.
“We’re now in a position where we’ve given ourselves an opportunity but we know only half the job is done,” Rowe said.
“The group is in a really good headspace in regards to what’s required, taking the next step and we can only hope.”
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