EFL Division 2: Ringwood defeats East Burwood by 60 points in qualifying final

Ringwood will shoot for a third-straight grand final appearance after brushing aside East Burwood in the EFL’s Division 2 on Saturday.

It’s an ominous warning to flag rivals.

Ringwood proved too strong for East Burwood with a resounding 60-point victory in the Division 2 qualifying final on Saturday.

The 15.15 (105) to 5.15 (45) result sends the Redbacks to a semi-final date with minor premier South Belgrave next Saturday – with the club shooting for a third-consecutive decider.

East Burwood seldom threatened after quarter-time as Ringwood turned a two-point advantage into a 20-point buffer by the main break.

Mitch Jackson of Ringwood celebrates one of his three goals. Picture: George Salpigtidis

But a 22-point lead at the final change blew out in the last term as the Redbacks piled on 8.3 to 2.1.

Ringwood coach Brett Rowe credited the likes of ruckman Jett Latchford giving his side “great use in the middle” while midfielder Mitch Jackson’s “ability to push forward, hard” made a difference, kicking three majors.

Rowe owed his side’s slow start to East Burwood’s edge at the contest – but the tide turned late in the opening term.

“I think we just needed to settle a bit – just around the contest we were probably getting pushed into the contest a bit more and they were holding their shape outside and winning it and getting it out,” Rowe said.

“To the boys’ credit, they adjusted themselves, and we were just about to get a bit of control and a bit of ascendancy … we started to get a bit more scoring opportunities late in that first quarter.”

A lift at the contest late in the first term helped turn the tide, Rowe says. Picture: George Salpigtidis

Mitch Brereton bagged four goals on a finals stage befitting of the Redbacks’ forward according to the coach.

“He lives for the big occasion … he was getting good service and he got good reward,” Rowe said.

Ringwood denied East Burwood a mark inside 50 for the match, while claiming 15 of its own among an effort of nine individual goalkickers.

Nathan Cairns of Ringwood takes a mark. Picture: George Salpigtidis

“Our back six or seven have been terrific for us all year, they just deny the opposition scoring opportunities,” Rowe said.

“That’s from up the field as well when our pressure’s really good up the field, that just formulates into our defenders defending really well.

“We’ve been really big on having a lot of avenues up forward this year and just always being on the move. It was good to be able to execute with our forwards today.”

Steven Brown (two goals) was among nine individual goalkickers for the Redbacks. Picture: George Salpigtidis

Rowe’s side meets a South Belgrave outfit next weekend which has defeated it twice this season.

The pair last met in Round 16 with the Saints prevailing by 11 points.

“To me they’re still the benchmark,” Rowe said.

“They’ve got so much firepower, so if we can play our brand of footy we’ll see what happens next weekend and give ourselves a chance.”

East Burwood awaits the winner of Sunday’s The Basin versus Boronia elimination final, in the following weekend’s semi-final on August 28.