By Josh Ward.
The Roos Senior Men’s and Women’s sides will be looking to build on promising finals campaigns this coming season.
East Ringwood’s senior men’s not only made finals, but finished atop the Premier Division table in only its second season back in the top flight.
However they ultimately fell just two points short of claiming the EFNL’s ultimate prize, going down to Balwyn on Grand Final Day at Bayswater Oval.
Ben Osborne is set to enter his fifth season as its head coach, saying that there’s a bit of hunger in the group after coming so close to the Premier Division flag last year.
“Once everyone got back into the swing of things, then it was like ‘I need (the flag), I want it’,” Osborne said.
“There’s a real drive to keep winning games of footy, keep getting better as a footy club. We feel like we’ve done as much as we can (this preseason).”
Majority of the senior playing group has re-signed except for Mitch Farmer and Chris Cerni who’ve both hung up the boots.
“You can’t be signing six or seven players every year and that’s not what we want to do. We got lucky last year and this year as I said we’ve kept (the group).
“And with our development and Under 19s going so well we want to leave spots open for those guys to see the highest level and not be just shunted out by recruits.”
Players from last year’s 19s and premiership-winning development team have impressed, including reigning club Under 19 B&F winner Felix Seymour.
“Hannin Mundy is coming back from injury, Mitch Keedle as well…but also Adam Markic-Smith has now had a season out of 19s and we’re really excited to see how he goes.”
However the group that’s shown the biggest improvement has been the 22-23 year olds that have now breached the 60game barrier.
“Connor Weightman, Sam Walsh, Jackson Weatherill, Callum Norris, Marcus Kane, Damon Delaney, there’s a big group that’s played 60-70 games now.
“They’ve just taken the preseason by storm, stepped up as leaders and they’re the ones that’re driving (standards). That’s been the biggest plus for me.”
And whilst improvement is set to come from within, they’ve also been able to pick up Noah Van Haren from AFL Outer East Club Emerald and reigning Norwood B&F winner Josh Tovey.
“(Tovey)’s not just a great player, he’s a fantastic person. He’s been to pretty much every preseason session, if he’s not running around he’s watching and being there…
“We’re rapt to have him on board. Hopefully he’s playing every week at Collingwood (VFL) but I know he’s pretty keen to play whenever he’s available with us.”
With a solid preseason under their belt, as well as some handy inclusions, Osborne says the group needs to continue improving if they are to claim the Premier Division flag this season.
“Nothing’s a given, to get back there and get another chance you’ve got to have a bit of luck along the way, got to play some good footy.
“It’s a tight competition, it’s so brutal week in week out, you’re coming up against quality players, teams and coaches.
“We won a flag, we came up, we made finals, we wanted to get better and we made a grand final. And we want to get better again.”
The Roos kick off their season with two twilight fixtures at East Ringwood Reserve, first against South Croydon then against back-to-back Division 1 premiers Mitcham on ANZAC Day.
“Two big clubs with two big followings, we’re really fortunate to have lights that we can play under. I think there should be some big crowds and there’s no better way to start the season.”
On the other hand, East Ringwood’s women’s side come into this season following a finals appearance in Division 1.
Peter Kane is set to take on the head coaching role this season after Adrian Fittolani stepped down to take on the role of the Roos Under 18 girls coach.
Having been an assistant coach under Fittolani, Kane says it’s been a lot of fun taking on more responsibility.
“I’m really privileged to be able to continue working with the team. It’s a lot of fun, I get a lot of energy being around the squad,” Kane said.
“I’m (hoping to be) able to teach them a couple of things, guide them and mentor them to be not only better footballers, but better people.”
It’s been a long preseason for the Roos women’s program, who were excited to get back on the park last weekend in their practice match against Boronia last weekend.
“Although there were a few nerves, you could just see the excitement and energy in the team, they’re really looking forward to playing games and getting back onto the field.”
Majority of the playing group has re-signed, with players such as reigning Division 1 B&F winner Paris Gebel-Lamb added to VFLW lists.
They’ve also been able to pick up players too, including former St Kilda star Natalie Exon who is set to play the majority of the season with VFLW club Box Hill Hawks.
“To have someone bring that (AFLW) experience, knowledge and mentorship and that extra layer of professionalism when we do see her is a great learning opportunity for our younger players.”
Casey Demons VFLW player Natalie Banjavcic-Mills has also joined from Hallam while ex-Croydon North MLOC duo Irene Paracki and Lucy Nation have also come across.
“We didn’t get much of Leila Hedderwick last year, she spent a lot of 2024 injured. She’s had a full preseason and she’s flying. I treat Leila as a new recruit.
“Really fortunate to get Teagan Hudson back after 12 months out of the game and she looks like she hasn’t skipped a beat.”
Hudson is one of many players that look likely to help the side improve on their fourth-placed finish last year.
“Keeley Hudson has worked incredibly hard, her fitness levels have gone to a much higher level.
“I can’t not mention Kay Wootherspoon as well. Kay goes out and does what Kay does, she’s such an impactful player, the influence on our mids and all around the ground never ceases to amaze me.”
Some of the Roos Under 18 group for this year could also get an opportunity this season having impressed Kane so far this offseason.
“Harper Wild played a lot of senior footy last year, she’s a top age Under 18. She has grown immensely, she’s become confident in her game and she’s developed a real power aspect.
“We’ve also had Molly Baker and Jennifer Sawyer that played with us a few times, all three girls had some times at the Ranges over summer.
“The learnings that they’ve taken away have helped them assimilate and get comfortable around the program.”
With a strong list heading into what’s looking like a very even Division 1 competition, Kane says success this season will come down to the list’s depth and how injury-free they can be.
“Playing finals in our first year up last year was a really good foundation and I think our depth has improved over the summer.
“We know our best is as good as anyone’s best so I fully expect we’ll be right there at the pointy end of the season.”
The Roos also kick off their season at East Ringwood Reserve with a 2023 Division 2 grand final rematch against reigning Division 2 premiers Surrey Park.
“We had a few matches against them in our premiership year, they were really hard-fought matches and we respect them enormously. They’re a quality side and so I’m keen to see how that plays out in Round One.”