EFNL 2023: East Ringwood powers past Doncaster East with ‘unreal’ third quarter

The EFNL Premier Division’s newcomer occupies the top of the ladder following a fortnight of knocking over two of the league’s heavyweights. Here’s what it means to the ‘Roos ...

Its past fortnight has yielded two of the competition’s most sought-after scalps.

East Ringwood is beaming after knocking over top-three outfit Doncaster East on Saturday, 14.9 (93) to 11.13 (79), in the Eastern league’s Premier Division.

Promoted at the end of last year after a drought-breaking flag, the ‘Roos sit on top of the ladder having lost just one match, with the weekend’s result following a victory over 2022 grand finalist Rowville.

“We’ve had belief, but we want to know if we can match it (with the best) and we feel that our footy does stack up against a lot of teams,” East Ringwood senior coach Ben Osborne said.

“To go to Seebeck (Oval) and get the four points there and then to play Doncaster East and get the four points, there definitely was some more confidence and belief after that result, and the way we turned it around halfway through the match.”

James Belo was best afield for the ‘Roos. Picture: George Sal

Faced with a 19-point quarter-time deficit, the ‘Roos cut the margin to just five at the main break before surging ahead with a 13-point advantage at the final change.

Led by an “unbelievable” third quarter from captain James Belo through the midfield, Osborne credited his side’s lift in the contest as the tide turned with Trent Farmer bagging five majors for the match alongside Hannin Mundy, Sahaf Ali and Zac Cileceken with two each.

“It (trailing) was something that we probably haven’t been used to which is makes me so much more proud of the boys – we were able to turn the game around and get it back on our terms in the second half,” Osborne said.

“Our third quarter was unreal, led by James (Belo) … he took the boys on his shoulders and everyone saw that belief.

“It just shows the resolve of our group and experience beyond their years of some of the younger boys to be a part of something like that.

“It was a pretty special win in the end.”

Trent Farmer of East Ringwood bagged five goals. Picture: George Sal

The ‘Roos fielded up to 11 players aged 22 and under on the weekend, with youth a common theme throughout their premiership-winning campaign of 2022 and leap into the top tier in ’23.

They lead the ladder with a 5-1 record – equal with second-placed Balwyn – with almost 25 per cent separating the pair.

Osborne says the challenge of taking on the league’s best is one his group continues to embrace.

“It’s a really exciting place to be … to be coaching against these different systems and the boys playing against them, I think they’re really enjoying it and thriving on playing against the high quality.”

East Ringwood 2.2 8.3 12.7 14.9 (93)

Doncaster East 5.3 8.8 9.12 11.13 (79)

East Ringwood

Goals:

T. Farmer 5, H. Mundy, S. Ali, Z. Cileceken 2, S. Donnelly, M. Farmer, J. Belo

Best:

J. Belo, C. Norris, D. Delaney, T. Farmer, D. Belo, S. Ali

Doncaster East

Goals:

L. Tynan 3, T. Bell, D. Jones-Hughes 2, M. Hoskin, L. Loverso, C. Phelan, L. Waddell

Best:

J. Appleby, C. Phelan, D. Jones-Hughes, C. Haswell, T. Duman, L. Waddell