In this week’s Eastland In and Under column, Media Manager Ryan Long gives you his key takeaways from the weekend that was.
An East Ringwood Masterclass
Only two teams to be promoted from the second-tier division to the top division have gone on to make finals in the last decade. But if there’s a club destined to break that trend, it’s East Ringwood.
The Roos are coming off a 91-point win over Vermont on the weekend, with an 11-goal second quarter, also holding the Eagles scoreless. They dominated all the key stats that quarter, 21 to 9 in the clearances, 6 to 2 in the centre clearances and an extra 15 inside 50’s, 19 to 4.
Across the afternoon, Sam Lowson who was welcomed back from VFL level, kicked seven goals while key forward Trent Farmer finished with six of his own.
By the end of last season in Division One, they were streets above most of their opponents, winning their two finals by an average winning margin of 72 points.
Their list is certainly suited to the Premier competition and has only improved with Adam Swierzbiolek coming into the side, having another big performance on the weekend. His inclusion in the ruck has given Hannin Mundy a chance to play a different role this year with more time up forward.
It’s been no surprise to see James Belo have a great start to the year, but it was an even performance across the ground from all Roos players with the likes of Donnelly, Cerni and Walsh all having impressive games.
The club could have easily been 3 and 0, falling just two points short of South Croydon in their opening round. But their strong start to the season sees East Ringwood as a side to watch out for this year.
Kilsyth takes it up to Surrey Park
Going into last Saturday’s game, Kilsyth were 3-0, having defeated Croydon North MLOC, Forest Hill and Nunawading. However, this weekend’s draw against Surrey Park proves they can also match it with the best in the division.
The two sides fought out a draw at Pinks Reserve on Saturday with Kilsyth’s inaccuracy costing them, kicking eight goals from 25 scoring shots. While Goodinson was held goalless, it was Jarrod O’Neill that stood up for the side, kicking four goals, taking his season tally to seven from three games.
There’s a lot to take out for both sides, Nick Kann and Renan Falahey looked dangerous up forward again the Panthers.
After making a historic first Grand Final in the Eastern Football Netball League last year, the Panthers have come into 2023, looking to finally break through for their first premiership in the league.
They had a quieter off-season to the Cougars who were one of the biggest players in the off-season, having multiple star recruits join the club ahead of the 2023 season including Ryan McNay, Jayden Weichard and Brandon Droessler. All of whom have had great starts to the season, featuring in the side’s best most weeks.
Over the last couple of seasons in Division Four, there has been a clear early-season premiership favourite. However, four weeks into 2023, we’re none the wiser.
Another big match awaits next week for the Cougars as they host Scoresby.
Warning Signs at Warrandyte
It’s grim reading for the Bloods, the only winless side in Division Three after the opening four rounds.
Despite their opening three losses being by very close margins, their loss on the weekend to Oakleigh District blew out to a concerning 82-point margin. Warrandyte managed just the three goals for the afternoon, only one after Quarter Time, missing their star key forward, Ryan Phillips.
There’s still so much talent on their list but they haven’t been able to play a consistent brand of footy over four quarters yet.
Despite the disappointing performance on the weekend, you still can’t rule out last year’s Preliminary Finalists but there’s a lot of pressure to get the four points next week against Fairpark before they head to Wally Tew Reserve to take on one of the front runners in the division, Ferntree Gully.
Credit however must be given to the Oakleigh District FNC after bouncing back from back-to-back losses. Bonacci, Warne and Bozanich all combined for 13 goals on the weekend.
Their skill level and ball use were at its best as they put on a show at home in front of their fans.
The win puts Oakleigh District back into the top four at the end of Round Four.
It’s still been a difficult division to tip with the evenness of the competition. Whitehorse was the other big surprise of the round, knocking off Ferntree Gully to give the Eagles their first loss of the season.
Eastern Devils still the team to beat but South Croydon aren’t far behind
Early Saturday evening, the Eastern Devils and South Croydon faced off in a Premier Division Grand Final Rematch.
It was the reigning premiers who got across the line by eleven points in what was a big day for club great Sarah McNamara who celebrated her 200th game.
Henderson and Allsopp kicked four goals between them while the Dogs had four single goalkickers in Malander, Prendergast, Lay and Black.
Defensively, the Devils will be happy with their performance after Black, Prendergast and Bibby all combined for eight goals on Anzac Day in South Croydon’s sixty-point win over the Wolves. They couldn’t quite have the same impact this weekend, with just two goals between the three.
However, it’s the closest South Croydon has got to the Eastern Devils in five attempts since the Devils joined the EFNL.
Apart from a goalless third quarter for the Dogs, there wasn’t a whole lot in it which will the club plenty to work with the next time they face Cheong Park.