EFNL Division 2: Ringwood through to third consecutive grand final

Third time’s a charm? The Redbacks will be out to win their first flag since 2005 when they contest a third-straight grand final in the Eastern league’s third tier.

It’s familiar territory for Ringwood.

The Redbacks are through to a third consecutive grand final following a 51-point drubbing of East Burwood in Sunday’s Division 2 preliminary final at Mitcham’s Walker Park.

They’ll meet minor premier South Belgrave this Sunday.

Ringwood raced to a 30-point quarter time buffer before the Rams threatened in the second term, cutting the deficit to 15 points at the half.

But an eight-goal-to-none third quarter set the Redbacks on course for another shot at silverware.

The Rams’ season ends following a thrilling one-point win over Boronia in the previous week’s semi.

“They had a real crack against Boronia the week before, so we knew they would be coming pretty hard to get us,” Ringwood senior coach Brett Rowe said.

“They came at us in that second quarter, then we kind of reset about how we wanted the ball to move … we opened the door a little bit for them but thankfully we were able to execute.”

Captain Nathan Cairns saluted for five goals in his 100th match.

Rowe paid tribute to the “loyal” skipper’s showing, featuring in the best alongside Tim Jones and Sam Wadley.

“It’s a very famous name at Ringwood, the Cairns name, so to play 100 and kick five, I think it’s a great achievement,” he said.

Nathan Cairns of Ringwood kicks a goal. Picture : George Salpigtidis

Ringwood last won a senior premiership in 2005, with Brett Rowe as playing-assistant.

He took over as Ringwood coach in October 2017, leading the club to consecutive grand finals across 2018 and ’19.

The Redbacks lost both deciders despite being hot favourites, before winning the minor premiership in last year’s incomplete campaign.

But the defeats bear no relevance to this weekend, Rowe says.

Ringwood has lost the past two grand finals (pictured 2019) but the results bear no relevance to this weekend, the coach says. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“You’ve got to get in there to give yourselves a chance, and we’re excited to be there,” he said.

“It’s a new team from a few years ago, so they’re all excited about being a part of it.

“(The older players) will be really important to our younger guys playing in their first grand final … we’re going to just treat it as another game – and hopefully we’re on the right side of it this time.”

Ringwood and South Belgrave have met three times this season, with the Saints prevailing on each occasion by 26 points (Round 7), 11 points (Round 16) and 18 points in the semi-final.

Rowe believes quick ball movement into attack could hold the key to his club hoisting the cup for the first time in 17 years.

“Every time we’ve played them this year we’ve learnt a bit more about them and ourselves … it makes for a great contest,” he said.

“If we can get the ball moving the way we want it to go and get it into our forwards pretty quick, that’s going to be the key and then we just see what happens from there.”

Zach Callinan of Ringwood feeds a handball out earlier this finals series. Picture: George Salpigtidis

Rowe said the list was in a “really good position” health-wise leading into the decider, with forward Mitch Brereton expected to take the field after missing the weekend’s match with a hamstring concern.

He’s kicked 25 goals this season from 14 matches.

“By all reports, all the work that he’s doing (and) speaking to the physio, they’re pretty confident he should be right by Sunday,” Rowe said.

South Belgrave and Ringwood meet in the Division 2 grand final on Sunday, September 11, at Mitcham’s Walker Park.