By Josh Ward.
Balwyn have reascended to the top of the EFNL tree with a heartstopping two-point victory over East Ringwood in the 2024 Premier Division Grand Final at Bayswater Oval.
After giving up the lead, which they had held for most of the day, in the early stages of the last quarter, the Tigers were able to kick two late goals before holding off a late East Ringwood charge to win 7.11 (53) to 7.9 (51).
The win sees Balwyn claim their first senior men’s premiership since 2016 as well as the club’s 15th and their sixth flag since joining the EFNL in 2007.
Star midfielder Bowen Smith was front and centre of it all, with his tireless efforts in midfield seeing him rewarded with the Best on Ground medal.
Alexander Urban supported Smith in the trenches once again whilst Louis Cunningham provided plenty of dash and class off half back.
For the Roos they fall just two points short of securing a second senior premiership in three years and a first top flight flag since their 2002 triumph over East Burwood.
Their defence, led by Damon Delaney, Chris Cerni and Tristan Tweedie, was strong all day, particularly in the first half when Balwyn were on top of the territory battle.
It was the Tigers’ pressure that saw them earn that forward territory which in turn saw them kick the first two goals of the game through Smith and captain Charlie Haley.
Ben Osborne’s men then started to settle and adjust to the Balwyn pressure before kicking two of the last three goals of the term to reduce their quarter time deficit to nine points.
Balwyn continued to put the heat on the Roos for the majority of the second. However they failed to massively impact the scoreboard, kicking two goals and four behinds.
In turn a five minute patch of momentum midway through the term for East Ringwood saw them kick one goal in it. Despite this, the minor premiers still trailed by 16 points heading into the main break.
Unlike the first two quarters the Roos had the early running in the third, with a Jamie Bennell goal seeing Balwyn’s lead cut down to 10 points eight minutes in.
Following a hard fought middle third of the term East Ringwood started to create some late opportunities. Like the Tigers though they failed to capitalise and entered the final term of the 2024 season down by seven points.
They built on the momentum gained late in the third with two goals inside the first six minutes, with Chandler Medalist James Belo’s only goal edging East Ringwood in front.
Brenton Sanderson’s men were then able to fight back and kick the next two goals through Will La Motte and Jake Sticca to push them back in front at the start of time on.
A 23rd minute goal from Riley Weatherill gave the Roos a late spark. However that was eventually snuffed out by Balwyn who held on for a famous two-point victory in front of a packed Bayswater Oval.
