By: Tash Gunawardana
EAST RINGWOOD sits eighth on the Division 1 ladder after a strong second quarter helped the Roos cause an upset 30-point win over second-placed Croydon in Round 14.
Senior coach Marcus Buzaglo spoke to EFL Sunday after the victory that lifts his side out of Division 1 relegation territory, as well as keeps their finals hopes alive in what was the Roos’ best four-quarter performance of the year.
“It was a big game for the club, they pretty much all are from herein, it was pretty pleasing,” Buzaglo said.
Buzaglo was proud of his boys’ efforts, especially their ability to sustain pressure and play their style of football against quality opposition.
Despite the win, Buzaglo believes there are still areas they can improve in.
“Croydon has had a very good season,” he said.
“We were pretty good at it last time, we sort of came close at our ground.
“I don’t think the gaps huge between the best sides and the worst, depends on the way you guys want to look at it.
“On any day your a chance which is a great thing about this competition.
“We put some more pressure on them and they came to play, we were able to turn it over a fair bit.
“They still had some shots on goal, but they were generally under pressure.”
The competition is evenly-matched, so any side on any given day can win when they are at their best.
“It was a little bit of an upset but we sort of went into the game reasonably confident that if we put our best foot forward we could get the result we were after,” Buzaglo said.
The Roos’ record at home has been underwhelming this season, sitting at 0-7.
“That’s a disappointing part of the year and apart from that we have been in every game,” Buzaglo said.
“Our record away from home is five and two.
“It could look a whole lot different, but that’s the case for a lot of sides.
“It’s exciting I guess coming from four or five years where we were getting belted around every second week.
“To come to the footy knowing you are chance every week is exciting.”
East Ringwood is ranked fourth overall in first quarters and ninth in last quarters in matches this season.
“I think it’s probably something we do have to address in closing games of footy and winning games of footy,” Buzaglo said.
“We have to sort of change that mindset (and) gain a bit more belief that we are actually a good team at this level.
“We think we have got two of the best ruckmen in the competition, but our stoppage numbers haven’t been great.
“We played a little bit better down there (over the weekend) and our midfield played better yesterday.”
East Ringwood faces sixth-placed Park Orchards this week at Domeney Reserve.