Ringwood’s fast start in the senior men’s division wasn’t enough to see the Redbacks return to the finals, while the Netball program featured in three Grand Finals in 2024.
Senior Men’s
Ladder Position: 6th(9-9, 102.86%)
Best and Fairest: Tim Jones
Leading Goalkicker: Josh Meerkotter (30 Goals)
Summary:
A strong start to the season and the return of some key players back to the club wasn’t enough to take Ringwood back to the finals.
It was the perfect opening three weeks of the season, undefeated after Round Three. This included the annual Friday Night clash with the Jets, knocking last year’s Grand Finalists off by eight goals in a statement victory.
As the season progressed, the Redbacks unfortunately started to lose a few of their senior players to injury, opening the door for some of their younger players to get a look in. This included Lauchie Gorman, who debuted as an Under 17’s player.
A spot inside the top five came down to the wire, with multiple sides in the mix. Unfortunately for Ringwood, the last two losses of the season saw the Redbacks finish sixth at the end of the Home and Away season, missing out via percentage.
The season did mark some special milestone achievements. Brett Rowe coached his 100thsenior game for the club, joining an exclusive group. Rowe is just the third person in Ringwood history to coach 100 games, with Rod Allison and Steve Parsons.
Both Declan Hill and Scott Laing played game number 200 for the club, becoming official Life Members of the Ringwood FNC.
Key Players:
Tim Jones capped off a fantastic year by winning his first club senior best and fairest, the Cameron Parker Medal. Jones averaged over 20 disposals and five marks per game in the 2024 season.
Finishing as the Runner-Up in the best and fairest was Jacob Bell who averaged the most disposals of any Redback in 2024.
A livewire up forward, Josh Meerkotter finished the season as Ringwood’s leading goalkicker with 30 majors for the season.
Jayden Cairns was also recognised for his season as the most consistent player of the year. Also with a massive start to the season was Mitch Jackson, polling well in the early rounds of the league’s best and fairest.
Best Win: Round 13 – Ringwood 7.13 55 def. Waverley Blues 2.7 19 @Jubilee Park
It wasn’t the prettiest of all wins or one for the archives, but the Redbacks’ six-goal win over the Waverley Blues was their gutsiest.
Undermanned with some of their most important players out of the side, Ringwood held the Waverley Blues to just two goals for the day as they kicked five in the last quarter for a crucial win at this time of the season.
Jeremy Broad kicked three on the day, while Lauchlan Gorman on debut, kicked one to remember.
Off-Season Focus:
The club have already announced a couple of key signings ahead of the 2025 season.
Riley Hillman joins the club from Berwick Springs. Has made the Division Team of the Year twice at Centre Half Back but has also spent time as a forward in the Outer East.
Ringwood was the third-ranked defensive side in the division this season, adding some depth to their forward line is now key to strengthening the side in that area of the ground.
Jett Latchford’s off to South Croydon is a loss that will be hard to cover.
The division opens up with the promotion of Boronia so if the Redbacks can recruit a few more over the off-season and keep the list healthy during the season, they’ll consider themselves a big chance.
Senior Women’s
Ladder Position: 8th(1-12, 11.17%)
Best and Fairest: Tiana Johnson
Leading Goalkicker: Grace Ward
Summary:
In a new division, the Redbacks battled hard against some tough opposition.
The side showed great improvement from last year’s results, remaining competitive across the season.
Their effort paid off later in the season as they pulled through for a fantastic win over Kilsyth in Round 12.
Key Players:
Tiana Johnson created club history for the Redbacks, a second club best and fairest, the first ever women’s player to win two at Ringwood. The reliable midfielder had yet another fantastic season for the club and a well-deserved award.
Skipper Grace Ward was runner-up in the club’s best and fairest after a big season herself. Ward made the EFNL Division Two Team of the Year and has been an incredible leader at Ringwood and will be the key to future success for the club.
Joining the club this season, Jorja Pauer was one of the side’s most consistent players, in the best a total of eight times from 13 games.
Best Win: Round 12 – Ringwood 5.5 35 def. Kilsyth 4.7 31 @Pinks Reserve
The first win of the year was one to remember for Ringwood, the game going down to the wire.
Momentum shifted each quarter with a two-goal to zip third term in favour of the Redbacks the ultimate difference on the day. Despite being under much pressure in the final term, Ringwood managed to hold for a four-point win.
Skipper Grace Ward was outstanding, with a goal and best-on-ground honours. Tiana Johnson was also key, finishing with two goals on the day.
Off-Season Focus:
The focus heading into a new season for the Redbacks is to consolidate the current playing list and add some new players to the group as they get set for the next chapter.
A new division should work well for the side, we saw Heathmont enter Division Three this season, making a finals series after not winning a game in 2023.
Netball
Division Five (Ringwood White): 1st (11-2)
Division Eleven (Ringwood Black): 1st (13-0)
Division Eleven (Ringwood Red): 8th (3-7-2)
A great season for the Ringwood Netball program, with two sides advancing through to the Grand Finals.
Unfortunately for the Redbacks, both Ringwood White and Black went down in the two deciders at H.E Parker Reserve.
For Ringwood White who finished on top of the Division Five ladder, they finished with the Minor Premiership after going 11-2 during the regular season. In two close finals, they fell short to the Lions, just one point separating the two sides on Grand Final night.
Keira McLean topped off her great season with the club’s best and fairest. Leading goal shooter Nicole Stagg was also very impressive, finishing with 213 goals.
Ringwood Black had a similar fate in Division Eleven, winning all 13 games of the season before their first loss in 2024 in the Grand Final against South Belgrave. Shooting 194 goals for the season, Madison Smith was awarded the club’s best and fairest.
In the same division, Ringwood Red missed finals, winning three games and drawing twice. Jordy Ross was awarded the side’s best and fairest award.
The Netball program has also been one of the leaders in the Summer competition, with the Redbacks making a Grand Final appearance in the fourth division.
Ringwood is set to have three sides compete in the upcoming 2024/25 Summer Season.
