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By: Daniel Cencic
RINGWOOD senior coach Brett Rowe says it was imperative the club moved on quickly from its Division 3 grand final defeat as it prepares for another tilt.
The Redbacks finished minor premiers in 2018, recording an undefeated season until an upset loss to Boronia in the decider. The club will compete in Division 2 this year under the EFL’s competition restructure.
Brett Rowe addresses his players during last year’s Division 3 grand final. PHOTO: Davis Harrigan Photography
“We’ve just got to put our head down, and our bum up and get to work and just keep backing ourselves week in, week out,” Rowe said.
“There’s no doubt it hurt, it hurt a lot of people.
“There’s no point dwelling on it because if you keep looking in the rear-view mirror, the year will pass us by, so we’ve got to keep looking forward.
“That’s what we’ve been doing and we haven’t really mentioned it, if at all.
“The guys are pretty determined to make sure they acquit themselves a lot better this year.”
Rowe has overseen the inclusion of South Croydon trio Ash Stagg, Rhys Mills and Lachie Evans, while young midfielder James Parker and defender Jacob May have crossed over from Park Orchards.
“Ash will bring real forward pressure and give us a chop-out on the ball,” Rowe said.
“He’s still only a young kid but has a lot of upside.
“(Mills and May) will hold down the defensive posts when required and Lachie Evans will give us inside grunt with our contested ball which we think we still want to improve on.”
The glaring omissions for the Redbacks are ex-club captain Trent Farmer, who missed much of the latter part of the 2018 season as he recovered from a broken arm, while ruckman and 2018 club best and fairest winner Ben Power has decided to take the year off.
Farmer claimed the Division 3 Paul Edie Medal for the second-straight year as the best and fairest player in Division 3 last season, as well as selection as captain in the 1116 SEN Division 3 Team of the Year.
Farmer takes a grab against Ferntree Gully last season. PHOTO: Sporting Images
“Trent won’t be playing this year, not in regards to his arm, he’s been knocked around a bit the last couple of years with his ankle then with his arm,” Rowe said.
“He’s going to go travelling with his girlfriend in the first half of the year, and if we get him in the second half of the year, terrific, but if not, he’ll probably have the year off and we’ll hopefully get him back next year.”
The Redbacks have also seen the departures of regular starters Daniel Atwell (Yackandandah) and Mitch Jacobs (Kilsyth).
“Our midfield depth was pretty strong anyway, and we think the guys that were on the fringe will get an opportunity to step up into that role now that Danny’s gone back home,” Rowe said.
“Mitch going to Kilsyth opens up a position up forward with people like Declan Hill who’s been outstanding through our pre-season and I think he’ll fill the void.”
Meanwhile, Nathan Cairns has taken over the role as skipper and will front a new-look Redbacks leadership group featuring Mitch Jackson and Declan Hill as incoming deputies, while Daniel Jordanov and Scott Laing resume their respective roles as vice-captains from last season.
“I think all these guys are going to bring something different to the table,” Rowe said.
“The Cairns name is very rich in history at the Ringwood footy club.
“His dad’s a life member, was the games record-holder, and his grandpa has got an award named after him.
“It’s a really great appointment and it’s great to see the players with their voting have acknowledged that.
“I think Nathan will do a great job.
“I’m just rapt for them all that they’ve all been acknowledged by their playing group and I couldn’t be happier.”
Ringwood begins its season hosting Templestowe at Jubilee Park on Saturday, April 6.