EFL: Ringwood remains unbeaten in Division 3 after a 25-point win over Boronia

RINGWOOD has confirmed its status as the team to beat in Division 3 this year after a 25-point win over the previously unbeaten Boronia.

Zach Callinan breaks a tackle. Picture: Mark Dadswell

RINGWOOD has confirmed its status as the team to beat in Division 3 this year after a 25-point win over the previously unbeaten Boronia on Saturday.

The Redbacks controlled the top-of-the-table clash for most of the contest at Tormore Reserve, improving their record to 9-0.

Ringwood’s nine-game winning streak also marks its best start to a season since the 2005 Division 2 premiership winning campaign.

After consecutive preliminary final exits the past two years, Ringwood coach Brett Rowe said his side had improved in 2018.

“It’s never been mentioned the last two years with the prelim losses but deep down they probably do think about it and I think there is a steely resolve in the group to try and right those wrongs,” Rowe said.

Ringwood captain Trent Farmer has 40 goals at the halfway mark of the season. Picture: Mark Dadswell

Ringwood has accounted for fellow top three sides Boronia and Scoresby over the past three weeks to sit a game clear at the top at the halfway mark of the season.

“It tells us we can compete with the good sides and we know our footy is good enough,” Rowe said. “A lot of things can change between now and the end of the year but it gives the guys a lot of confidence to be playing the brand of footy we are at the moment.”

Spearhead Trent Farmer was Ringwood’s only multiple goalkicker with four majors, taking his tally to 40 goals for the season.

Former Hawk Zach Callinan was also instrumental, putting in his best performance for Ringwood since joining the club at the start of last year.

Ringwood kept Boronia at arm’s length from the outset, jumping out to a 19-point lead at quarter-time. Only the Hawks’ accuracy in front of goal kept them in the contest in the first half, converting each of their four scoring opportunities to trim the margin to 16 points at the half.

By the final change Ringwood had extended its advantage to 25 points before finishing with a 10.10 (70) to 7.3 (45) victory.

Elsewhere in Division 3, Heathmont moved three games clear in the five after a 43-point win over Donvale.