EFNL 2024: Four sets of brothers turn out for Rowville in 23-point win over ladder-leader Balwyn

It was a family affair, with Rowville rolling out four sets of brothers on Saturday as it sent Balwyn tumbling from the top of the Eastern league Premier Division ladder.

EFNL 2024: Four sets of brothers turned out for Rowville in its win over Balwyn. Picture: Rowville FC

Not one, not two, not three – but four sets of brothers took the field for Rowville as it toppled ladder-leader Balwyn on Saturday.

Brock and Jai Coleclough, Jackson and Lachlan McDonald, Cooper and Kyle Stainthorpe and Callum and Will Verrell made up eight of the Hawks’ 22 in the 12.13 (85) to 9.8 (62) win.

“It was (special), and we were probably unlucky not to have five – Tyson Sruk came in and Mitch went out,” Rowville senior coach Ben Wise said.

“We’ve always talked about how much of a family club we are, and we’re lucky enough to have high-talented kids who are close in age and all playing good footy at the same time.”

Triple Rowville premiership coach and former president Paul Mynott wasn’t short of praise.

“That’s what you call a good homegrown family club,” he wrote on social media.

“Throw the Sruks in there towards the end of the year when they get back on track ... doesn’t get much better.”

The McDonald brothers stood out through the midfield as the reigning premier handed Balwyn – which won its opening 10 matches – a third consecutive loss.

The result turfed the Tigers from the top of the ladder, falling to second as the Hawks drew level with 10 wins and three losses in third.

East Ringwood clinched first following a nine-point win over Blackburn.

Wise said Saturday’s clash was “scrappy and very contested” as his charges led by no more than two kicks at each break.

Rowville coach Ben Wise. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

“It was a tough one … and the deck was quite heavy under foot,” he said.

“Credit to them (Balwyn), they’re a quality unit and were missing a few boys at VFL, so they obviously weren’t at full strength and we were the same.

“They brought the heat early and we were able to absorb that.

“We were pretty good in patches but it was just a really good, contested game of local footy.

“I don’t think they were at their best and I don’t think we were at our best, but it was probably reflective of how intense the pressure was from both sides.”

Two of Rowville’s losses fell back-to-back across rounds four and five – including a 46-point defeat at the hands of Balwyn – but it hasn’t lost since June 1, winning five on the trot.

“You look at most (reigning premiers) at all levels – there’s not many that win the flag the next year and they come out of the blocks awesome,” Wise said.

“You look over history, it’s a bit of a slow build.

“We had a really strong pre-season, we’ve built into the year really well, we’ve been a bit unfortunate with some VFL selections, injuries, sickness and concussions.

“Early in the year it threw us a bit, but what it did do was give us a great opportunity to blood some good kids and I think we’ve debuted seven or eight already.

“Over the last month we’re starting to see some guys come back.”