EFNL Division 1 2023: Mooroolbark’s Jye Peacock sinks North Ringwood after the siren

Mooroolbark snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in the Eastern league’s Division 1 on Saturday, prevailing in a heartstopping finish. WATCH THE VIDEO

MOOROOLBARK has snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, winning an after-the-siren thriller over North Ringwood on Saturday.

The Mustangs overcame a late Saints revival to pinch the 9.8 (62) to 8.13 (61) win at Heights Reserve – with young gun Jye Peacock producing the matchwinning point.

The hosts led by 25 points at three quarter-time before North Ringwood dominated the final term, hitting the front by a kick late in the match.

Mooroolbark senior coach Bret Lavars recalled the dying moments, with his charges rallying to lock the scores at 61 apiece before the grand finish.

Peacock sets sail for goal with the scores locked at 61 apiece after the siren. Video/picture credit: Eastern Football Netball League

“They (North Ringwood) kicked about five in 10 minutes and drew level, then they kicked another one to go a goal in front,” he said.

“Then I suppose the question is ‘How do we arrest momentum?’

“We managed to get our best midfield brigade in the centre clearance … and we kicked a goal pretty quickly, albeit ugly (to tie the scores).

“I’m told there was about 33 seconds to go when scores were tied up … (Peacock) had taken a mark, I’d say 40 (metres) out or so, and the siren went after he marked it – he went back and managed to score a point to get us over the line.”

Lavars paid tribute to Peacock’s composure in the last-gasp effort.

“We’ve debuted eight players already (this year), but for him to have the courage to go back and take ownership of the moment, and score, was really exciting for our young group,” he said.

Midfielder Kane Noonan stood out for the Mustangs, while Braedon Dobie booted four goals.

“I thought Kane’s second half especially was really strong – we needed our leaders to stand up and it’d been a pretty tough tussle up to half time … I thought he and Aussie Smith got going in the middle,” Lavars said.

The new-look Mooroolbark sits third on the ladder with a 2-1 record, following a raft of key player departures in the off-season.

About nine players remain from last year’s Division 1 grand final side, but the opening three weeks of the season have been cause for optimism.

“There’s a fair few out there who’ve written us off this year and whether that’s going to pan out that way, time will tell,” Lavars said.

“I think our best can compete with anyone out there, it’s just (the gap) between our best and worst is a little bit different to what I’ve had in the last couple of years.

“We’ve lost in excess of 30 boys from our list … but I just think with such a young group and the boys we’ve been able to recruit, the buy-in’s been fantastic.”

Mooroolbark 2.1 5.2 8.5 9.8 (62)

North Ringwood 0.1 2.7 3.10 8.13 (61)

Mooroolbark

Goal kickers:

B. Dobie 4, R. Crossley 2, P. Thatcher, C. Maki, R. Symons

Best players:

K. Noonan, B. Dobie, M. Thompson, A. Smith, R. Crossley, J. Hartman

North Ringwood

Goal kickers:

P. Rose 3, A. Fenton 2, C. Church, C. Ciampa, R. Nahas

Best players:

J. Braunthal, A. Fenton, J. Meikle, M. Locco, B. Livingstone, J. Whelan