EFL: East Ringwood benefit from axing of VFL development league

EAST Ringwood has been one of local football’s big beneficiaries following the axing of the VFL development league, with coach Marcus Buzaglo expecting to have “six or seven” state-league players each week.

East Ringwood coach Marcus Buzaglo. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

EAST Ringwood coach Marcus Buzaglo expects his side to have access to at least “six or seven” VFL players each week as the Roos look to build on a positive start to the season.

East Ringwood have been one of local football’s beneficiaries following the axing of the VFL development league last year, blooding six state-league debutants in Round 1.

Stuart Donnelly (Coburg), Tristan Davies (Box Hill), Tristan Tweedie (Box Hill), Alex Urban (Port Melbourne), Reece Groves (Box Hill) and Adam Swierzbiolek (Coburg) have each featured for East Ringwood at the start of the season.

Liam Jeffs (Box Hill) and Josh Weightman (Coburg) are also hoping for VFL opportunities this year, while fellow Roos James Belo and Sam Lowson have played in Coburg’s opening two games.

East Ringwood coach Marcus Buzaglo said his side’s low player points total allowed the Roos to target state-league players.

Former Western Bulldogs rookie Tristan Tweedie has been one of the VFL players to line up for East Ringwood. Picture: Mark Dadswell

“We really want them to play at the highest level they can and I certainly try help them as much as I can but we don’t want to lose them all at once because it would be a battle,” Buzaglo said.

“It is a bit of a juggling act but I think there is a couple of guys who are close, Alex Urban’s form at the start of the season has been really good and then there’s possibly a couple who will have to wait until later in the year.

“We’ll possibly have the majority of them, at least sort of six or seven each week, but I’m hoping a lot of them get a chance to play VFL footy.”

Buzaglo said he had been pleased by his side’s opening two games, falling to two narrow losses against North Ringwood and Norwood.

The Roos have finished in the bottom two four times in the past eight years but are hoping to consolidate their place in the Eastern Football League’s top tier ahead of the 2019 competition restructure.

“I think we’re a different side, I think we’re playing different footy and I think it will take a little while yet to play our best footy,” Buzaglo said.

“I think injuries will tell a big tale for us because we still struggle depth wise and I think that’s the difference between the top clubs, the middle clubs and as it gets down.

“The ability to cover depth with really good first division players is possibly something that might hinder us.”