EFNL Division 2: Knox snaps losing streak with stunning upset win

The Falcons have breathed life into their hopes of remaining in the EFNL’s Division 2 after pulling off an almighty upset on Saturday, led by a host of young guns.

THE drought is over.

Knox ended its long losing streak on Saturday night, holding off a fast-finishing Ringwood outfit in a heart-stopping upset – 11.7 (73) to 9.14 (68).

The victory is the Falcons’ first since Round 16 on July 30 last year – and first under senior coach Steve Buckle.

And it came as two club favourites marked milestone matches, with Troy McGown celebrating game 150, and Ash Black, 100.

Both milestone men “played really well” in the upset win, Buckle says, with Ash Black kicking two goals. Picture: Knox FC

The victory breathes life into Knox’s bid to remain in Division 2, with two sides to be relegated at season’s end.

It sits ninth on the ladder with a 1-9 record – behind The Basin (eighth) by two wins, and ahead of last-placed Upper Gully by some 12 per cent.

The Falcons meet Upper Gully this weekend and will face The Basin in the final round.

Buckle said implementing a new game style had taken time, but Saturday night’s result was reward for effort as his charges piled on 7.3 to 0.2 with the wind in the opening term.

The Falcons led by 27 and 37 points at the main and final breaks before the Redbacks threatened to pinch the match with seven majors to two in the last term.

“We’ve been building towards it for quite some time,” Buckle said of the victory.

“It’s been a long time coming and to be zip and nine halfway through the year wasn’t where I or the boys saw us and we were pretty confident going into the season that we were going to be amongst it.

“It’s been a challenge but we finally put it all together for the best part of four quarters.

“It wasn’t just the breeze for us … I spoke to a couple of the players after the game and said I don’t think it would’ve mattered who we played in that first quarter.

“Our attitude, the way we executed and our pressure was elite.”

With the margin out to 42 points in the final term, Buckle conceded his group “just couldn’t stop” the Ringwood momentum thereafter, but lauded his side’s resolve.

“In previous weeks they probably would’ve rolled over and let them keep coming … but they kept finding something and digging deep,” he said.

Young gun Sam Woodward shone in the ruck in a best-afield display and is enjoying a breakout season according to the coach.

“We identified him in the pre-season that we wanted him to step up and take on that No. 1 ruck mantle, and he’s now starting to understand his body a bit better and the effort that’s required,” Buckle said.

“He’s now acquitting himself really well and holding his own and he’s starting to develop some really good follow-up work.”

Knox coach Steve Buckle. Picture: Davis Harrigan

Meanwhile, 17-year-old Jett Marget provided plenty of speed on-ball after plying his trade on the wing for most of the year while 18-year-old utility Harry O’Brien injected pace off half-back, with the pair finishing among the best.

Harrison Greaves was also prominent, kicking a leading four goals.

Buckle, who has enjoyed premiership success at Heathmont and Doncaster East, said his return to coaching this season was about “remembering” how to nurture and relate to a young playing group.

“The majority of our list is 20 or 21 or thereabouts, and it’s just about having that patience and trying to find a really good balance with them as well,” he said.

“They’re a great bunch of kids.”