EFNL 2023: Ringwood rebounds with ‘statement’ upset win over Templestowe

A week is a long time in football as Ringwood proved on Saturday, rebounding from a shock loss by claiming one of Division 2’s most sought-after scalps ...

A week is a long time in football.

And for Ringwood, the old adage rang true on Saturday as it upset one of the form sides of the Eastern league’s Division 2 in Templestowe, following a shock loss to lowly-placed Knox the previous week.

The Redbacks’ 11.8 (74) to 3.5 (23) victory keeps them in the finals hunt – one game out of the top five with a 5-6 record – behind East Burwood, which upset the Waverley Blues.

Templestowe sits third with eight wins and three losses.

Ringwood senior coach Brett Rowe said the occasion demanded a response after the previous round’s showing.

“The pleasing thing was we knew we had to probably win that game just to stay in touch and it was so important for us,” Rowe said.

“We still feel our footy’s good enough and we needed to make a bit of a statement, especially from our week before.

“Not taking anything away from Knox, but we were really poor – we needed to get ourselves back on track and we were able to.”

Defender Jacob May was best afield on Saturday. Picture: Field of View Photography

Rowe commended his group’s selfless approach in Saturday’s win, as his side took control in the second term and didn’t look back.

“We’ve been up and down this year in regards to some of our win-loss record,” he said.

“We just went in with a plan in regards to some of their on-ballers and some of their defenders and how we thought we could help each other out in regards to sacrificing a bit of our normal game to play a different type of role.

“All players bought in to nullify them around the contest as best we can from their back-half and I think we were able to execute it really well.”

Defender Jacob May was best on ground – adding to an “unbelievable” season according to the coach.

“Jacob’s had an unbelievable year for us, playing on some key position players and taking some really big roles,” Rowe said.

“What he’s been able to do is nullify his opponent as best he can but then give us some offensive run when we’ve won the footy – he’s got good leg-speed and he uses the ball really well.”

The match also marked the senior debut of Jay Annett – twin brother of Mitch – with the pair believed to be the first set of twins to play a senior match at the club together.

Twin brothers Mitch and Jay Annett. Picture: Ringwood FNC

The newcomer joined the Redbacks from Warrnambool this season and didn’t look out of place in his maiden showing.

“They’ve both got electric speed, and we had Jay down at half-back and he just gave us some really good run and drive – but his chasing pressure was really good as well,” Rowe said.

“It gave us a different dynamic on the weekend.”

Ringwood meets Heathmont (fourth) on Friday night at Jubilee Park to kick off Round 12.