EFNL 2025: Rowville slumps to third consecutive loss as injuries mount
Rowville senior coach Ben Wise is under no illusion his side’s EFNL Premier Division season is in grave danger of slipping away if it can’t escape its current predicament – and soon.
Eastern
Don't miss out on the headlines from Eastern. Followed categories will be added to My News.
THREE losses in a row.
Rowville senior coach Ben Wise is under no illusion his side’s season is in grave danger of slipping away if it can’t escape its current predicament – and soon.
Saturday’s 28-point loss to Doncaster East followed defeats to Berwick and Blackburn – but the Hawks remain third with a 4-3 record at the mid-season break.
Ravaged by injury, Rowville has been without a host of regular starters in recent weeks.
Lachlan Wynd, Cooper Macdonald (syndesmosis), Jackson McDonald (shoulder), Anthony Brolic (calf), Kyle Stainthorpe (ankle), Jack Gaudion (groin), Jonty Duffy (ankle), Kurtis Flakemore, Mav Taylor (hamstring) and Matt Davey (MCL) have been among the casualties.
“At the end of the day we’re probably down on a bit of confidence,” Wise said.
“We’re probably just not playing good enough footy at the minute, and that’s a combination of confidence, playing to instruction and playing four quarters of footy, along with personnel.
“We’ve obviously got a VFL contingent that we miss most weeks, so that’s 10 players on your list, and then when you’ve got another 10 or 15 on your list that aren’t playing, you’ve got eight to 10 of your best 18 out.
“It takes its toll.”
Ill fortune struck again on Saturday with the Hawks’ McKenzie Jago suffering a neck injury after he was allegedly “sling tackled” according to the coach.
A league investigation is expected to follow.
“It was a pretty disappointing incident, it’s something they’re trying to stamp out of the game … we’re grateful he’s only getting an operation on his neck,” Wise said.
Rowville’s last victory came in Round 4 against a then-winless South Croydon.
After consecutive finals appearances, including a grand final and a flag in two of the past three seasons, Wise conceded his side may be a bit battle-weary and “beaten up”.
“It’s as hard as we’ve had in terms of personnel loss in my time at the footy club … we’ve just had a high fluctuation of people coming in and out and that just affects your form,” Wise said.
“I thought our effort and contest was really good for half a game, we’re just not able to sustain that, whether that’s workrate, personnel or inexperience, who knows.
“You look at my side that we had rounds one and two … I had six of those forwards not play against Berwick.
“The break has come at a good time.”
Despite the form-slump, Wise remained hopeful his best side could take the field again this season.
But the premiership coach pointed to the silver-lining: “The positive thing is we’re just giving great exposure to these young kids … you won’t see the rewards now, but in 12 months’ time they’ll look more comfortable,” Wise said.
“I still think our best footy competes with the best and definitely troubles everyone, it’s whether or not we can produce that this year.”
Rowville is away to a winless Mitcham, 10th, following the mid-season bye on June 14.
Stay or go: OEFN clubs in talks with rival leagues
Four clubs in the Outer East Football and Netball competion are considering their futures, with a “line in the sand moment” looming for football and netball in the region.
‘Highlight of my career’: Stanton and his stars light up Mully’s Team of Century
A third of the starting 18 played under him, while a dozen more wouldn’t have looked out of place. Honoured as coach of Mulgrave’s Team of the Century, Hayden Stanton reflects on triumph through tragedy, regret – and what made his boys tick.