EFNL 2023: East Ringwood to reignite ‘celebrated’ rivalry

A Saturday night special awaits East Ringwood in its return to the Eastern league’s Premier Division – with a cross-town rivalry to be rekindled ...

A Saturday night showdown awaits East Ringwood in its return to the Eastern league’s top division – with a local derby to be reignited.

The ‘Roos will contest the league’s Premier Division for the first time since 2018 after a drought-breaking flag in the second tier last season.

They’ll host South Croydon as they unfurl their first senior flag since 2002 – but the subplot to the clash runs much deeper.

East Ringwood lifts the 2022 Division 1 cup. Picture: Davis Harrigan

The clubs are a figurative stone’s throw from one-another, with the match featuring premiership Bulldog Ben Osborne coaching the ‘Roos – and premiership ‘Roo Marcus Buzaglo coaching the Bulldogs – the last to guide East Ringwood in the top-flight.

Many have crossed between the combatants over the years – with the clubs playing off for the esteemed Phil Mason-Frank Glenn Shield.

The Bulldogs have held onto the prize since the last meeting in August 2018, and Osborne said Saturday night would rekindle one of the league’s great cross-town contests.

“It’s something I think should be celebrated,” he said.

“We’re a kilometre away from each other and there’s a lot of connection between the two groups, playing and coaching.

“I’ve still got a lot of really good mates playing footy at South Croydon, and as much as the game’s going to be great, it’s also going to be great catching up afterwards over a couple of beers, win, lose or draw.

“I think we’ve got to celebrate community footy for what it is and there’s not too many local rivalries anymore, especially in Premier (Division).”

South Croydon defeated East Ringwood by 69 points in Round 16, 2018, to hold onto the Mason-Glenn Shield. Picture: South Croydon FC

Osborne is under no illusions about the challenge posed by a South Croydon outfit which has contested the past four Premier Division finals series.

But the premiership coach pointed to a recent practice match with VAFA Premier-grade runner-up Old Brighton as the “perfect hitout” and “reminder” about the step from the second tier.

“We know that we need to raise the bar again,” Osborne said.

“We’ve got a young group and we probably won’t adapt completely until the back half of the year – a lot of these guys haven’t played Premier Division footy but they loved playing Old Brighton … it was an amazing challenge for them and we knew we weren’t far away.

“Obviously we played some really good footy at the end of last year and the club was in a really good spot with the 19s winning the flag as well.

“Competition for spots is going to be a big thing for us and it’s only going to drive us to be better.”

Osborne conceded the ‘Roos could be “lighter on for star power” in comparison to their 83-point grand final masterclass, headlined by Sam Lowson (North Melbourne) and Connor Weightman (Williamstown) set to miss through state league duties.

But former VFL ruckman Adam Swierzbiolek and ex-Ringwood star Dan Collier are among a line of key recruits set to feature in the ‘Roos return to the top grade.

“We’re rapt with what we did last year but now we obviously move on and see this new challenge,” Osborne said.

East Ringwood vs. South Croydon – Saturday, April 15, East Ringwood Reserve, 6.00pm