EFNL 2021: Redbacks move into first after ending The Basin’s unbeaten run

The red-hot Redbacks moved into first on the ladder on Saturday in emphatic fashion – and they’ve still got big names to return...

The Redbacks handed The Basin its first loss of the season on Saturday. Picture: Ringwood Football & Netball Club

Ringwood is back in familiar territory on top of the Division 2 ladder after Saturday’s victory – but it’s yet to field a full-strength side.

The Redbacks handed The Basin its first loss of the season, winning by 53 points to usurp the Bears at the top of the table.

Ringwood coach Brett Rowe credited his side’s four-quarter performance, highlighted by three goals apiece to Trent Farmer and Declan Hill, with both finishing among the best players.

“We knew we had to lift for The Basin,” Rowe said.

“We really brought our pressure game on the weekend, and as I said to the group – sometimes you’ve got to acknowledge when you well really well as a group and we did on the weekend.

“We’ve got a few more avenues going forward this year – we’re playing Trent a bit differently this year and there’s a lot of other players finding space and we’re just smarter coming forward.”

Ringwood players celebrate after knocking over The Basin on Saturday. Picture: Ringwood Football & Netball Club

But the Redbacks can expect a number of key names back in the second half of the season in a further lift, among a long list of short-term injuries.

Swingman and 2014 North Ringwood premiership name Curtis Dunne is “a few weeks away”, recovering from a knee injury and is yet to take the park for his new club after crossing from the Saints following 2019.

Returning name Danny Atwell (broken ribs) and captain Nathan Cairns (calf injury) are also expected back in the second half of the year.

“They’re our three majors that have been long-term (injuries) … just trying to keep the list healthy is probably the challenge at the moment for most clubs,” Rowe said.

“The rest are one and two week (injuries), but there’s a lot of them and that’s affecting the depth of our twos through it all.

“They’ll (Dunne, Atwell and Cairns) definitely be back in the second half of the year so that’s exciting.

“Selection becomes a bit of a tight balancing act as well and that’s what I think is helping drive the group, knowing they’ve got to play well to keep their spot.”

Ringwood coach Brett Rowe. Picture: Davis Harrigan

Meanwhile, new names Tim Jones and Jack Murfett, who along with Dunne made the move from North Ringwood, have made their mark this season.

“Tim Jones has really given us good stability and leadership down back, and young Jack Murfett has been really good, a real revelation and he’s just hard at the footy,” Rowe said.

The Redbacks boast a 5-1 record along with The Basin who dropped to second, trailing by some 24 per cent.

Ringwood’s only loss of the season came at the hands of Heathmont by less than a kick in Round 3, and faces third-placed Boronia this week.

“We spoke about the past three weeks – South Belgrave, The Basin and Boronia about getting a foothold on the comp, so we’d definitely set ourselves for this three-week period.

“We’d like to finish it off well before we hit the (halfway) turn and see how it looks,” Rowe said.