By Callum Ludwig
It was a top-of-the-table clash in the Grand Final of the RFNL Division One Seniors competition, with Mooroolbark set to square off with East Ringwood.
The Barkers had reigned supreme at the top for 13 rounds of the season undefeated, before suffering their first loss to the Roos themselves in Round 14, who held on to the top spot until the end of the season.
It was a disappointing result for the Mustangs in the end as East Ringwood claimed their second premiership of the day in a thumping 15.12, 102 to 2.7, 19 win.
Mooroolbark was kept goalless in the first quarter, while East Ringwood added three of their own but the game still appeared to be open enough for Mooroolbark to remain in it.
Mooroolbark coach Bret Larvas said in his first quarter address that the side had their opportunities but just hadn’t taken them.
“They were a couple of great efforts, our pressure early was really good and I couldn’t fault our intent in the first five, it was strong with our tackles, we just got a bit sloppy there,” he said.
“We probably didn’t listen to instructions, what did we say about kicking to advantage? There were a few too many central balls and we kicked it straight to their spare [player] a lot of times. Composure and clean hands, I know it’s a final and it’s stressful time, but we need to take a little more time over it and be clean. We are right in the mix here, let’s get on early.”
The Roos made it four unanswered goals at the start of the second before Mooroolbark got their first midway through, only for VFL side Coburg-listed player former AFL mid-season draft prospect Sam Lowson to get a quick reply from the goalsquare. After realising he potentially could have shepherded through the kick from his teammate for a goal, he did apologetically try to find a way to hand it back to him before eventually slamming it through.
The game slipped further away from Mooroolbark in the third quarter as East Ringwood piled on 33 points to Mooroolbark’s solitary one and they managed another 4.3 in the final quarter to the Barkers’ 1.2.
Two players, Trent Farmer and Sam Lowson managed five goals each as East Ringwood provided a plethora of chances for their forwards.
Aaron Mullett, Bailey Dmonte, Austin Smith, Braedon Dobie, Trent Georgiou and Jayden Weichard were the Mustang’s best in the loss, with their goals coming from Dmonte and Ross Ansaldi.
