EFL 2019: Ryan Mullett and Robbie Ross make successful returns to Vermont

Four-time Vermont premiership pair Ryan Mullett and Robbie Ross made successful returns to the Eastern Football League, helping the Eagles to an emphatic Round 1 win over Norwood.

Vermont champion Ryan Mullett in his return game for the Eagles. Picture: Field of View Sports Photography

Two of Vermont’s four-time premiership heroes made their returns to Terrara Rd on Saturday.

And it was as if they never left.

Ryan Mullett and Robbie Ross were key figures in Vermont’s run of four premierships in five years from 2005 to 2009 before recent stints away.

But the pair were back in Eagles colours on Saturday in the 64-point triumph over Norwood as the Eastern Football League powerhouse made a winning start to its premiership defence.

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Mullett showed he had lost none of the running power and superb skills that made him one of the most decorated players in the competition, while Ross controlled the ruck battle to help set up the 13.20 (98) to 5.3 (34) victory.

Robbie Ross goes up in the ruck. Picture: Field of View Sports Photography

Junior product and delisted Western Bulldogs midfielder Mitch Honeychurch also made a slashing return, kicking two goals to be named Vermont’s best player.

Scary thought, but the Eagles looked a superior side to the team that won last year’s grand final.

Norwood’s first goal didn’t come until midway through the second quarter as its bubble of pre-season hype was quickly popped.

Three-time Chandler medallist Mullett, 36, finished with 32 disposals and laid five tackles. Ross had 14 touches and took five marks.

Mullett left Vermont at the end of 2014 and joined Rye, where he won the best and fairest in both seasons at the Mornington Peninsula club.

Ryan Mullett gets the ball on his boot. Picture: Field of View Sports Photography

He had a two-year stint at Southern Division 1 club East Malvern, and duly collected best and fairests in 2017 and 2018 before announcing in November he would return to the Eagles.

“I’m a pretty harsh judge, I reckon there’s still some room for improvement but I certainly felt like I was able to contribute,” Mullett said.

“I was happy to get through and felt I did enough to help the side.

“There was nothing I wasn’t expecting, I was expecting it to be quicker, more physical and more skilful and it was all those.”

Mullett admitted to a few pre-game nerves.

“That was a cool feeling, probably just the care factor I have for the place and being back because there was probably a time there where I thought I wouldn’t come back,” he said.

“It was cool to be back and we obviously got the result we wanted and played really well.

Robbie Ross takes possession of the ball. Picture: Field of View Sports Photography

“Obviously Round 1, you sometimes just want to get the result but we actually showed some good form and played the way we had trained. There’s some impressive kids there so it was good sitting back and watching.”

Ross left Vermont to join Wandin ahead of the 2014 season and played in the Bulldogs’ 2015 and 2018 flags, but announced in October he was making a comeback to Vermont.

“I was speaking to my wife before the game and she said, ‘does it feel like a dream you were at Wandin only six months ago and now you’re at a different club?’ and it sort of did,” Ross said.

“I never thought I’d be back playing at Vermont, in the seniors anyway, but I wanted to do it so gave it a crack and it’s coming off at the moment.”

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