By Christopher Kourtis.
North Ringwood are looking for a fresh start with a new senior men’s head coach. Whilst the senior women’s Division One side have their sights set on promotion, the Division Three side are focused on another year of progression.
As one door closes, another door opens – Robin Nahas’ departure from North Ringwood signals the start of the Matt Price era at Quambee Reserve.
The new senior head coach will take over a side that finished with a 5-13 record in 2024. Returning from a coaching break, Price’s last season in charge was a 2023 premiership-winning campaign at Dromana.
Life in the EFNL is off to a good start, says Price, who has wasted no time in shaping his new side.
“The boys have put everything into it so far… it’s made my job pretty easy,” said Price. “We had to make some major adjustments… there will definitely be a big shift.”
Price is just one of many exciting incomings at Quambee Reserve. The Saints have added the likes of Jackson Mooney (former Eastern Ranges player) and Xavier Borg (U19.5 Premier Division leading goal kicker), as well as Xavier Borg (aligned with Eastern Ranges in 2025) and VFL-listed player Riley White.
Adding more experience to the team is polarising ruck Taylor Davidson, who played under coach Price at Dromana. Aiden Begg is another big name who has committed to North Ringwood in 2025, returning to his boyhood club and bringing with him experience from his time in the AFL set-up with Collingwood.
North Ringwood have retained much of their strong core, as two-time Badrock Family Trophy winner Aaron Fenton signs on for 2025. Joining him will be another two-time club Best and Fairest winner in Michael Locco, as well as 2024 leading goal kickers Luke Patterson and Peter Rozanitis.
Price is impressed with how his team has gelled together so far.
“I think we’ve already started on the right foot… things are progressing really well at this stage,” said Price.
“[The side] have shown plenty… we’ll be ready to go [in] Round 1 with a pretty strong team”.
Head coach Matt Price will make his official coaching debut in Round 1 when North Ringwood travel to Beaconsfield Holm Park Reserve to face Beaconsfield.
Falling just seven points short of premiership glory in 2024, the North Ringwood senior women’s side have their sights set on promotion in 2025.
Gearing up for another campaign in charge, head coach Jake Ireland is confident that his side can take last year’s learnings into the season ahead.
“It was definitely a massive success last season,” said Ireland.
“This team hadn’t really seen Grand Final quality yet… they hadn’t really seen themselves as a team that can contend for a premiership.
“After we beat Donvale… it became pretty apparent that we’re at that level and we’re ready to push for a premiership”.
Those at Quambee Reserve will be confident that this side can go one step further in 2025. North Ringwood have retained the majority of their core, keeping together what is undoubtedly one of the strongest lists in the competition.
Club Best and Fairest, Team of the Year member and league leader for best on votes, Jess Begg, is just one of many who have committed to another season in a Saints uniform.
Joining her will be league-leading goal kicker Eliza Wilson, as well as fellow EFNL Division One Team of the Year players Ella Rhodes and Carli Forbes, and Skipper Tayla Deane also recommitting ahead of the 2025 season.
Despite the obvious star power in the ranks, senior coach Jake Ireland is adamant that the key to success is a whole-team approach.
“We think our top players are as good as anyone, but our depth is probably one of the best in the league,” said Ireland. “Our biggest strength is not necessarily the top players that we have to retain, it’s more so our depth”.
After coming so close last season, Ireland has set the bar high for his team in 2025 and the years to come.
“In the next few years, we want to aim to be in Premier [Division] and be competitive there”.
North Ringwood’s development squad is entering just its second ever season in 2025.
Finishing seventh in its inaugural campaign, the North Ringwood Red side will look for further success in the upcoming season.
Division One side head coach Jake Ireland says that development side is one of the club’s greatest strengths.
“[Last year] was our first year of having two teams, which is sort of a big step forward for the club,” said Ireland. “Only a handful of clubs are able to get two teams up”.
North Ringwood’s U18B women’s side were crowned premiers in 2024. Many of those players will now use the development side as a stepping stone for their senior footballing careers.
“That’s the benefit of having two sides – we’ve got the luxury to develop some of these girls in a lower division, then obviously progress them up,” said Ireland.
Ireland, along with many at North Ringwood, are confident that the only way for the development side is up in 2025.
“It’s going to be a great year for us,” said Ireland. “We’ve got a record amount of numbers”.
“It’s going to be exciting seeing wins in both divisions and hopefully we can see premierships in both divisions… I really think that both teams are going to be in a position to do so”.