EFNL 2023: Champion Cheltenham forward Josh Fox signs at East Ringwood

A Southern league sharpshooter and son of a Tasmanian football hall of famer has landed in Eastern’s Premier Division.

THE Southern league’s most damaging spearhead has landed in Eastern’s top-flight.

Cheltenham forward Josh Fox has signed with East Ringwood after helping the Southern Division 1 outfit to the flag this year, topping the league goalkicking with 77 majors.

He’s the son of Tasmanian Football League hall of famer Wayne ‘Baldy’ Fox, who kicked 1049 goals across Glenorchy, New Norfolk, Hobart, South Launceston and Sandy Bay from 1975-1991, in between a one-match stop at Footscray in ’78.

Josh carved out three years in the VFL system, spending two seasons on Sandringham’s books and one at Coburg.

He linked with Tasmania’s Southern Football League during Victoria’s Covid shutdown in 2020, leading Cygnet to a grand final with 61 goals from 11 matches before returning to the Rosellas in ’21.

Josh Fox in action for Cheltenham. Picture: Josh Chadwick

East Ringwood senior coach Ben Osborne, a former assistant at Coburg, said the pair’s VFL connection helped land Fox’s signature, which had long been on the ‘Roos’ radar.

Osborne added Fox had recently moved into the local area.

“I’ve been in contact with him ever since I got the job at East Ringwood,” Osborne said, who landed the role in late 2019.

“Obviously (with Cheltenham) winning a premiership, I thought it was the maybe the perfect time to get him across.

“It was probably a bit of a travel thing for him – and there’s a few Coburg boys at East Ringwood, so it’s a nice, easy fit for him.”

Josh Fox kicked 77 goals this season. Picture: Josh Chadwick

East Ringwood featured in the Premier Division finals this season, with veteran spearhead Trent Farmer’s 56 goals leading the charge.

Osborne admitted the two-time league medallist was “more likely not to play” next season, with Fox’s inclusion to help offset Farmer’s potential retirement.

“We sort of had to have a back-up plan – if both play together, it’s ideal, but we know that Josh is going to be outstanding for us regardless,” Osborne said.

Despite suffering a knee injury and undergoing a reconstruction in 2019, Osborne declared Fox to be in peak condition.

“He’s a big target for us – we get him at 28 years of age and being a key forward, you know your body and your footy pretty well by that stage and we think we’ll get him at his peak.”