EFNL Division 1: North Ringwood topples South Belgrave to climb to fourth spot

An exciting mix of youth and experience is powering giant-killing North Ringwood’s mid-season charge in Eastern league’s Division 1.

Taylor Davidson slotted four goals for North Ringwood as the Saints toppled South Belgrave on Saturday. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

An exciting mix of youth and experience is powering North Ringwood’s mid-season charge in Eastern league’s Division 1.

Under new coach Matt Price, the Saints have won five of their past six games to climb to fourth spot.

They took a huge step towards finals on Saturday when they upended undefeated ladder leaders South Belgrave.

But Price, the EFNL legend who coached Dromana to a Mornington Peninsula league premiership in 2023, said it was too early to mention the “F word” at North Ringwood.

“We’ve still got a bit of work to do, we’re definitely not guaranteed anything,” he said.

“We’ve got three hard games coming up. We play Boronia this week then Park Orchards and then Montrose, three side who are second, third and sixth on the ladder.

“If we make it (finals) we’ll have earned it.”

On Saturday, North Ringwood announced its arrival as a genuine contender by coming from 14 points behind in the last quarter to beat South Belgrave 13.8 (87) to 11.10 (76).

North Ringwood coach Matt Price. Picture: Valeriu Campan

And the Saints did it with two teenage debutants, Vic Metro U16 rep Jaden Lawrence and Charlie Sizer, who tried out for Vic Metro U18s.

Will Waller, who also played for Vic Metro U16s last season, was among the Saints best.

The trio are Eastern Ranges Coates League players, but slotted into North Ringwood side because the Ranges had a bye.

“They are big prospects,’’ Price said of the youngsters.

Northern Bullants VFL player Harry Flynn also had a big say in the win, and Luke Patterson was best-afield after kicking four goals.

Dromana premiership player Taylor Davidson continued his strong form with four goals, taking his tally to 18 in 11 games in his first season with the Saints.

Ry Cantwell kicked the last two goals of the game after being moved forward.

“He normally plays off half back but he copped a corky and was struggling to run,’’ Price said.

“So we threw him forward to see if he could do something and the magic move paid off, he kicked a couple late.”

But North Ringwood lost a key player to injury, with full-back Michael Locco doing a hamstring late in the third quarter. “Hopefully we can get him back before the end of the year,’’ Price said.

Price, after having a year off from coaching, is enjoying his time at the Saints.

“The comp’s pretty tight and you’ve got to be at your best every week,’’ he said.

“The boys have really embraced everything I’ve thrown at them. It’s good to get a bit of reward for that.’’

North Ringwood finished seventh last season when coached by ex-AFL man Robbie Nahas.

The club last won a premiership in 2014 under Brett Moyle.

Meanwhile, Boronia produced the comeback of the round, turning a quarter-time deficit of 21 points into a three-point victory over Beaconsfield 9.15 (69) to 9.12 (66). Star big man Joshua Hannon led the way for the third-placed Hawks, and Damon Fairchild slotted two goals. Jake Bowd kicked four goals for Beacy.

Park Orchards put the whip to Mooroolbark at Domeney Reserve, winning 19.7 (121) to 6.10 (46). Former Blackburn sharpshooter Lewis Downie slotted five goals for the Sharks who counted Max Morton as their best player.

Mitchell Tsirtsikos, Timothy Castricum and Christian Poe fired Bayswater to a 49-point win over Norwood, 14.11 (95) to 6.10 (46).