EFNL 2024: East Ringwood hands Balwyn second consecutive loss
Kicking just three goals to three-quarter time, a Sam Lowson-inspired East Ringwood found a way against Premier Division powerhouse Balwyn on Saturday.
Eastern
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Sometimes you’ve just got to win ugly.
An inaccurate East Ringwood came from behind to deal Eastern Premier Division ladder-leader Balwyn a second consecutive loss on Saturday.
The Roos – who had kicked 3.14 to three-quarter time – dominated the clearances in the last quarter to rally from 12 points down at the final change in the 7.20 (62) to 7.3 (45) victory.
North Melbourne VFL star Sam Lowson booted three goals for East Ringwood, including two in the fourth term to spearhead the revival.
Trailing by 13 points at the half despite having two more scoring shots, the wayward Roos kicked a wasteful 0.7 in the third before a four-goal-to-none final term.
East Ringwood senior coach Ben Osborne lamented his side’s inaccuracy, but couldn’t fault its defensive edge after half-time in keeping the visitors to 1.1 while putting through 4.13.
“We had more scoring shots at half-time … but 17 scoring shots to two in the second half just showed our defence stacks up – once we were able to get some territory, they (Balwyn) struggled to get it out,” Osborne said.
“It was frustrating that we weren’t putting it on the scoreboard, but the way we were playing was outstanding.”
Lowson, who finished the match with 3.6, drew the Roos back to within a kick early in the last quarter before former WAFL gun Traye Bennell edged the hosts ahead midway through the term.
But Lowson had one more trick, as he kicked truly for his third to surge his side 10 points ahead nearing time-on.
Will MacRae sealed the deal as a snap sailed through with 20 minutes expired.
“It’s hard to keep Sammy (Lowson) down all day at this level, he’s such a powerful individual,” Osborne said.
“Once we started getting enough looks inside 50, it was a matter of time before he took the game apart.”
Ruckman Riley Weatherill, defenders Tristan Tweedie and Damon Delaney, and current and ex-state leaguers Corey Preston and Ryan Exon finished among East Ringwood’s best.
Meanwhile, Balwyn midfielder Bowen Smith and captain Charlie Haley (three goals) fired for the visitors.
The Roos also honoured favourite son Chris Cerni in his 250th senior match, knocking over Balwyn for the first time since the club’s return to the league’s top-flight.
“It was fitting to get a win over a side East hasn’t really had a strong record (against) in the past,” Osborne said.
“It (Cerni’s milestone) meant a lot to a lot of people – he doesn’t like the limelight and he just goes about his business.
“His loyalty to the club is second to none, and going through the toughest time the club had, he stuck fat when others left.”
Balwyn won its first 10 matches this season and remains first on percentage, ahead of East Ringwood in second – with the pair sharing a 10-2 record.
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