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By: Daniel Cencic
EAST RINGWOOD senior coach Marcus Buzaglo is under no illusions of the challenges ahead as his side embarks on Division 1 this season in the new five-tier competition.
For the first time since 1973, East Ringwood finds itself outside the EFL’s top-flight, after finishing 11th last year with two wins saw it relegated at season’s end.
Buzaglo says the newly-formed Division 1 competition is the great unknown, with the club looking for its first finals appearance since 2008.
“We haven’t sat down as a group as yet but we’ll do that in the next few weeks to outline some clear goals and expectations,” Buzaglo said.
“I think going down with 10 teams in the competition, and then five of those teams playing finals, we’d like to think we’ll be thereabouts, but you just don’t know yet; it’s hard coming down and the comp’s going to be really even.
“We’re pretty confident in our top-end talent but we’re trying to work on some guys, our bottom six or so, really improving and contributing.
“Hopefully we’ll play finals but we’re under no illusions it’ll be pretty tough.”
The Roos have signed South Croydon premiership midfielder Josh Allison, alongside Adam Gibson who returns to the club after four seasons at Norwood.
“He (Allison) plays cricket at East Ringwood and I’ve known him for a little while through that and didn’t get the opportunities he was after last year at South Croydon because they’ve got a very strong side – he’s given us a fair bit at training already,” Buzaglo said.
Former club captain Matt Sharpe will also don the royal blue and white again this season, returning after five seasons at the Waverley Blues.
Sharpe in action for East Ringwood. PHOTO: East Ringwood Football Club Facebook page.
Sharpe won the Roos’ 2011 senior best and fairest on his way to being named in the 1116 SEN Division 2 Team of the Year across 2014 and 2015, as well as a senior best and fairest at the Waverley Blues in 2016.
The Roos have seen a number of departures this off-season.
“With us going down a division, a few of the guys decided they wanted to play premier division footy, so Jack Sandric (Glenroy, Essendon District league) is one of those, Tristan Tweedie has gone to Norwood and Alex Urban to Balwyn so they wanted to keep playing at the highest level that they possibly could,” Buzaglo said.
“They were really honest and upfront with us, and we wish them all the best.”
Also departing is Coburg-listed ruckman Adam Swierzbiolek who has aligned with Macleod in the Northern Football Netball League, and Jayden Battaglene has relocated to Queensland for work.
“Whenever (Jayden) comes back, he’ll come back and play with us, but obviously it’s a big loss,” Buzaglo said.
“He’s one of those small forwards who’s super-quick and hard to replace.”
East Ringwood will field an under-19s side this season with the boost of its two 2018 under-17 outfits making the step up.
The club’s premier-grade team finished third on the ladder last year.
The side will be coached by former local footy spearhead Vinnie Muccitelli, who was appointed in October.
“A real big focus for us towards the end of last year was with those kids coming up to make sure we found the right coach with Vinnie Muccitelli who’s come across and has been really impressive so far,” Buzaglo said.
“The 19s have done a whole pre-season with the senior group.”
29-year-old Chris Cerni (pictured below) will again captain the club this season.
“He (Chris) was fantastic for us last year and really good over pre-season,” Buzaglo said.
“The pleasing thing for him this year is having guys like Tristan Davies, Josh Allison and those guys help to get my message on the ground as well. He’s got some really good help around him.”
Meanwhile, East Ringwood will embark on its second season in the Deakin University Eastern Region Women’s competition this year.
The club’s inaugural women’s team recorded 11 wins and four losses for third position in Division 2 last year, after it fell agonisingly short in the first semi-final with a six-point loss to Upwey Tecoma.
“We had a fantastic year last year and we’re really happy with the way the girls embraced the club and the way the club embraced the girls,” senior women’s coach Peter Baker said.
“We didn’t play our best on the day and Upwey Tecoma were too good for us – we were disappointed to lose but happy to play finals in our first year.”
Baker has been thrilled with the turnout this pre-season, with up to 42 women training with the club, as it looks set to field two senior women’s teams this season.
“It’s just growing and growing and every week I get an extra one or two coming along, so it’s a real positive for the club,” he said.
Baker is looking forward to watching the return of full back Tamika Butters from a knee injury, who missed the Roos’ finals campaign, while 2018 best and fairest Katie Shanahan is set for another big season in the ruck and key positions.
East Ringwood’s men’s side opens its season at home against Bayswater on Saturday, April 6, while the women’s fixture is to be released at a later date.
