EFNL 2025: ‘Special talent’ Josh Tovey rampages in East Ringwood debut

Josh Tovey – if you don’t know it already, remember the name. The 19-year-old had a day out for East Ringwood on Saturday in his side’s 103-point annihilation of its cross-town rival.

Talk about making a big first impression.

East Ringwood recruit Josh Tovey had the ball on a string in his side’s 103-point demolition job of South Croydon to open the season on Saturday, collecting 34 possessions (27 contested), 10 clearances, 10 intercept possessions and nine score involvements.

There wasn’t an adjective strong enough for East Ringwood senior coach Ben Osborne to sing the praises of the former Eastern Ranges captain, who crossed from Norwood in the off-season.

The 19-year-old also tag-teamed with Chandler medallist James Belo for the job on triple AFL premiership Hawk Liam Shiels in his first outing for South Croydon.

“He was outstanding,” Osborne said of Tovey.

“We knew he was coming to us but also chasing the VFL dream – he’s played two games at Collingwood VFL and gone pretty well there so we knew he was in pretty good nick.

“He’s just so hard to match up on … he took quite a lot of contested marks as a midfielder, was able to hit the scoreboard.

“So powerful and so big, he’s a special talent.”

EFNL 2025: Josh Tovey on the burst for East Ringwood.

Meanwhile, key forward Josh Fox led the charge with five goals – following on from 39 majors in 2024.

And after welcoming his first child during the week, he certainly didn’t show any signs of a lack of sleep as he put the Bulldogs to the sword.

“His partner Steph just had their first baby on Tuesday afternoon,” Osborne said.

“He’s had an amazing pre-season and he’s as fit as I’ve ever seen him – he’s moving really well.”

Osborne said his side’s Round 1 masterclass was a by-product of a team on a mission after falling two points short of the Premier Division flag last year.

“It was a bit of a sting getting going again – I could tell the boys were pretty flat – but once we got into pre-season, I definitely noticed there was this drive and competitive nature that they want to climb the mountain.”