EFNL 2021: North Ringwood topples Doncaster East in last-minute thriller

A frenetic last quarter surge has secured North Ringwood its first win for 2021, with a dual premiership Saint proving the hero in the dying stages.

Robbie Nahas has enjoyed his first win as Saints coach. Picture: Field of View

North Ringwood staged a stunning comeback late in the final quarter to upset Premier Division newcomer Doncaster East on Saturday, marking the club’s first win of the season.

The Saints dug themselves out of a 22-point deficit with seven minutes to go, booting the final four goals to snatch a thrilling 14.14 (98) to 14.11 (95) victory at Quambee Reserve.

Returning dual premiership Saint Jason Sharp proved the hero in the end, kicking truly from a set-shot 30 metres out, directly in front to steal the win, after being rewarded for a desperate tackle with about a minute to go.

It also marks North Ringwood playing-coach Robbie Nahas’ first win at the helm.

Jason Sharp returned from injury this season and proved the match-winner on Saturday. Picture: North Ringwood FC

“She was a pretty intense game, and it’s just great character building, we just kept coming and coming. It was a great quality game, high-scoring and very close,” Nahas said.

“We were on the lucky end of it and it could’ve gone either way … if it was going to be in anyone’s hands, we were pretty happy it was him (Sharp), he’s a beautiful kick.”

The Lions edged ahead by 12 points at three quarter time following an even first half with just four points separating the pair at the main break.

But a relentless Doncaster East continued to hit the scoreboard throughout the final term before the Saints’ charge in the dying minutes.

Nahas credited his side’s resolve in reeling the margin back, which blew out a number of times in the final term.

“We got within six (points), they got back out to 16, we got within eight, they got back out to 22 … twice in that last quarter they got back out to essentially a three-goal lead,” Nahas said.

“It’s just great that the guys continue to play the system that we preach, and they did it for long enough yesterday and they just kept coming back at them.”

Billy Schilling starred for North Ringwood in attack booting four majors, including “some big goals in the last quarter, (including) one 50 out on the boundary” according to Nahas.

Billy Schilling kicked four in the win, pictured left of the pack for North Ringwood in 2019. Picture: Stuart Milligan

Ex-AFL big man Michael Apeness also kicked three, alongside Jake Moss with two, while Matthew Payne, Jacob Bell and Jack Whelan finished among the Saints’ best.

Jake Summers led the charge for the Lions with four, while James Appleby and Jack Sholakis kicked three apiece. Summers, Sholakis and Simon White were named in the Lions’ best.

North Ringwood was coming off the bye in Round 2, followed by a 10-goal loss to Norwood in Round 1, where it had to battle with “no bench after half time”.

Jack Whelan featured among the Saints’ best on Saturday. Picture: Field of View

The Saints will take on Berwick away in Round 4, which stormed to its maiden win on Saturday, and Nahas is hopeful his side’s breakthrough victory is the start of something bigger.

“The scoreboard suggested a different game (in Round 1 against Norwood), but the numbers with contested footy, and inside 50s suggested a different game – we weren’t that bad Round 1,” Nahas said.

“We’ll go in with confidence (next week) but like I said to the boys yesterday, be happy, enjoy the win, but let’s try and build something.

“Hopefully this can start something and a bit of momentum.”