In this week’s Eastland In and Under column, Media Manager Ryan Long gives you his key takeaways from the weekend ahead of the upcoming 2023 Finals Series.
North Ringwood outlasts Bayswater
A hard-fought finals-like contest out at Bayswater Oval on the weekend had significant ramifications for the Division One ladder.
With scores tied at the final change, a spirited North Ringwood outfit led by Jack Whelan, held on for a fifteen-point win, as they move into fourth position on the ladder.
Jack Whelan was damaging around the contest, finishing with 27 disposals, 17 of those contested, and 11 clearances. Without the ball, his pressure was elite, also having 12 tackles. He was well assisted by the likes of Jayden Van Unen and Harry Flynn, both finishing with over 30 disposals.
Senior playing coach Robin Nahas was still in fantastic form. Despite being in the wars on the weekend, he managed to play out the full game, having 34 disposals, 8 marks and even sneaking up forward for a goal.
They were well challenged by a Bayswater side desperate to win, knowing their finals chances were on the line. Their overall pressure was fantastic, even in the final quarter when North Ringwood was surging home. Benjamin Searle’s third quarter was mammoth, the highest-ranked play on the ground in a quarter that finished with the scores level. He took five marks, four of those intercepted and prevented a potential few North Ringwood scores.
Falling short by fifteen points, Bayswater is all but mathematically out of the race for the finals this year. With an experienced member of the league Marc Hardy at the helm and a great group of young talent, Bayswater is in a good position going forward.
As for North Ringwood, their one win away from locking up that finals position. They too are a very young group. Like many clubs, North Ringwood has looked at the current no-promotion situation as a two-year block. They’re developing nicely into the 2024 season with these finals a nice little bonus if they get there.
Heartbreak for the Dogs
South Croydon has been no stranger to heartbreak this year, having five losses by less than a kick. The trend continued this weekend as Rowville’s Nashua Wood delivered an almighty blow with a beautiful kick from the boundary that curved home right before the siren, giving the Hawks a five-point win.
The Dogs jumped the Hawks out of the blocks early with seven goals to two before Rowville wrestled back the lead by Half Time. It was a similar story in the second half with the Hawks coming back from a three-quarter time deficit.
It was a couple of South Croydon’s experienced players that led the way in Matthew Jones and Brayden Kilpatrick. Kilpatrick has been the club’s best player this season but many of the other senior players have missed a lot of time from footy due to injury. Jones, a premiership player with the club, has managed just nine games in 2023. He was back to his best on Saturday, finishing with 33 disposals and 12 clearances.
The loss means they may need to win two of their last three games to avoid relegation if Park Orchards finds one more victory.
As for Rowville, a close call and a loss avoided means that the Hawks move one step closer to locking up a top-two finish and the double chance. Their strong percentage and great run home have placed them in a great spot ahead of finals.
Mulgrave’s spot to lose?
It’s been well-known that the top four of Division Two would be making the finals time was quite some time now. But the fifth spot has been up for grabs with Mulgrave, East Burwood and Ringwood all vying for a chance at an elimination final.
Ringwood’s tough run home has made it very difficult for a finals spot, needing to win out and have other results go their way.
East Burwood looked to be in pole position for fifth, up until their last fortnight. A surprise loss to the Falcons was followed this weekend by a 50-point belting from Templestowe. The margin may even be a little favourable for the Rams, considering the Dockers had 20 more scoring shots over the four quarters.
In a dominant first term, the Dockers had 20 inside 50’s to 3, kicking seven goals to one. Beau Mitchener returned to the side and exposed the Rams lack of height in the ruck, finishing with 54 hit outs. The overall side had an extra 71 hit-outs and ultimately finished with 23 more clearances than the Rams.
East Burwood’s percentage took a dive, and to make matters worse, the Lions put away Upper Ferntree Gully by points to create a buffer between the two on the ladder.
With a 13 per cent gap, it’s likely the Lions’ spot to lose from here. Their only issue is their run home, taking on Heathmont away before eventual Minor Premiers, Boronia. If they happen to lose both, East Burwood can pinch fifth from them with two winnable games on the run home. However, after their 50-point turnaround loss to the Rams, Mulgrave has won five on the trot and looks the most likely side to make the five and have an impact.
Since the bye, veteran Adam Booth has kicked 18 goals from three games, six each week, winding back the clock.
Depending on who the Jets bring back into the side on the weekend, he may need a similar performance to get them across the line.