EFL 2022: East Ringwood hands Mooroolbark first loss of season to claim top spot

The EFL’s Division 1 has a new leader with East Ringwood handing Mooroolbark its first loss in more than a year on Saturday.

The Eastern league’s Division 1 has a new leader.

East Ringwood handed Mooroolbark its first loss of the season on Saturday to claim top spot on the ladder, rolling into a ninth-straight win.

The 17.11 (113) to 14.11 (95) result ends the Mustangs’ run of 13 consecutive victories this season – and 17 overall – with their last loss coming in May 2021.

In a match which boasted no shortage of highlights with a combined 31 goals kicked, momentum ebbed and flowed as the ‘Roos took control in the second term to kick 17 point clear at the main break.

The hosts continued the stranglehold in the third with spearhead Trent Farmer bagging three of his four goals to set the Mustangs the task of toppling a 20-point three-quarter time deficit.

East Ringwood senior coach Ben Osborne heralded the performance as his side’s best offensive display of the season.

“It was just two good teams going at it,” Osborne said.

“Any time you beat a quality side like that you know it’s been a pretty good performance, and I think offensively we showed we look very dangerous when we get that right.

“Defensively we lapsed at times but that’s due to the opposition again, but offensively I thought it was probably our best for the year due to the opposition.”

Ruckman Hannin Mundy stood Mooroolbark’s Ryley Monkhorst and finished best afield with a major to his name, while James Belo was at his damaging best through the midfield.

“We thought Hannin was huge yesterday,” Osborne said.

“He comes up against bigger blokes every week and he’s just making the ruck his own at the moment.

“It’s not just his tap-work, it’s his follow-up and clearances, he gets it deep inside 50 for us. He was just brilliant all day, tireless, he was.”

Hannin Mundy (left) finished best for East Ringwood. Picture: Hamish Blair

Mooroolbark’s Aaron Mullett continued his blistering form, finishing with four majors – and a hanger – as a he lifted his season goals-tally to 40.

Jarrod Gilbee finished with three to his name, while reigning Division 1 league best-and-fairest Austin Smith found plenty of the ball and featured among the visitors’ best.

While Mooroolbark senior coach Bret Lavars praised his side’s attacking brand, he believes the ‘Roos soundly beat his charges in the midfield.

“I thought the way in which we played our brand of footy was still positive,” he said.

“We like to play an attacking brand ... I look for the positives in we’ve still managed to kick 14 goals and nearly score 100 points, we had some players who on the day were beaten but credit to East Ringwood who were fantastic.

“But I honestly thought our midfield got smashed, especially in that first half – I thought we really struggled to win footy which then put our backs under a lot of pressure.”

Trent Farmer (left, in action against Croydon) led the ‘Roos attack with four goals, including three in the third term. Picture: Hamish Blair

Osborne also lauded his side’s resilience playing the second-half with two down on the bench.

Eastern Ranges tall Sahaf Ali left the ground with a knee concern, while Luke Fairy suffered a suspected hamstring injury.

“That was another reason I knew Mooroolbark were going to finish strong as we were two down from half-time ... for the boys to hold on against a fit Mooroolbark side who were always going to come, I thought the character and effort was fantastic,” he said.

The ‘Roos and Mustangs share a 13-1 record, with East Ringwood leading the ladder by just under eight per cent with four home-and-away rounds remaining.

Mitcham, Wantirna South and Croydon round out the top-five with an 8-6 record each with the Devils holding fourth spot by just 1.24 per cent, while an eight-point gap now separates fifth from sixth.

East Ringwood hosts Lilydale in Round 15 while Mooroolbark is home to Upper Ferntree Gully.