EFNL 2025: Berwick upsets East Ringwood in Premier Division thriller

It was first versus second-last on Saturday as Berwick staged one of the upsets of the local footy season, staking its claim to stay put in Eastern’s Premier Division next year.

EFNL 2025: Berwick belts out the song after beating East Ringwood. Picture: Berwick FC

Underdog Berwick has done it again.

The young Wickers sensationally toppled the Premier Division ladder-leading East Ringwood in a nail-biting David vs. Goliath battle on Saturday to claim a third top-five scalp this season.

Berwick – which entered the match second-last on the ladder – had won just two games before Saturday’s 11.7 (73) to 8.19 (67) boilover.

Trailing by 10 points at quarter-time, the visiting Wickers closed the gap to just four by the main break before edging ahead by eight points at the final change.

Ahead by 20 points nearing time-on of the final term, last year’s runner-up gave the Wickers an almighty fright in a heart-stopping last 10 minutes – with the final three scoring shots going begging for the wasteful Roos.

“They certainly came at us hard late in the game … it was a challenging last few minutes,” Berwick senior coach Andrew Williams said.

“Most of the (last quarter) was spent up their end, so we had to hang tough for a few minutes there.

They (East Ringwood) didn’t really take their chances and we were able to hang in on the scoreboard

“To find ourselves 20 points up halfway through the last quarter was unfamiliar territory for our young blokes.

“We were terrific with our effort around the footy and I couldn’t be more pleased with the way they’re going about things … it gives us good confidence that we know we can match it with the best.”

EFNL 2025: Berwick coach Andrew Williams. Picture: Davis Harrigan

Leading the Berwick charge in attack was young gun Tahj De La Rue with three goals.

The former Dandenong Stingray has slotted into Eastern’s top-flight seamlessly this season after crossing from Pakenham, turning out in 12 matches for five nods in the best.

“He did a VFL pre-season and just missed out of a spot, (but) he’s been terrific for us,” Williams said.

“His pressure around the footy is terrific and to get the reward on the scoreboard was good for his confidence – he gets thrown around a bit, he’s been in the middle, on the wing, and has a little stint up forward.

“He’s really versatile and he’s one of those guys that does what he’s asked.”

EFNL 2025: Tahj De La Rue (39) celebrates a goal earlier this season. Picture: Davis Harrigan

Meanwhile, the experienced Jordan Roberts shouldered the ruck duties on Saturday in a best-afield showing.

“He’s super-professional – he just jumped in all day and with Jesse Cirulis injured, there was a spot there that we needed to fill,” Williams said.

“The way he jumps in and competes, he’s been terrific.”

Saturday’s upset followed narrow wins over top-five outfits Rowville (11 points) and Doncaster East (one point).

The victory could prove crucial for Berwick in its bid to avoid the drop at season’s end – the result lifting it two wins clear of last-placed Mitcham, with a 3-9 record.

But the dreaded ‘R’ word – relegation – goes unspoken at Edwin Flack Reserve.

“It’s not something we talk about as a playing group, but for us it’s about going through the process of what we know works and how we can keep improving,” Williams said.

“That’s something that’ll come up at the end of the season – but right now we just want to go out and compete and match it with the heavyweight sides.”