#InFocus | RINGWOOD FC

RINGWOOD FOOTBALL CLUB Founded: 1897 Joined the EFL: 1962

Season 2015 – Division 3 Seniors: 11 wins, 7 losses (5th) Reserves: 14 wins, 4 losses (2nd)

THE FOUNDATION OF SUCCESS

Momentum is a big thing in football. If it happens to carry through seasons the Ringwood Football Club should be well and truly in the mix once again.

Off the back of a seven game winning streak, the Redbacks went from mid-range battlers to genuine finals hopefuls in a matter of months.

Victories against Upper Ferntree Gully, The Basin and Mitcham in the final three weeks would have given Ringwood fans confidence at the business end of the season.

Trailing at the first break in their elimination final, the Redbacks rallied. Ringwood turned what could have been a comfortable defeat into a 34-point victory. Able to dictate terms against Upper Ferntree Gully, they controlled a large percentage of time in the second half of the game to ensure key moments went their way.

One week later, same margin – different result. The Basin controlled tempo from the first bounce and with a more attacking structure quickly established a lead. Whist the Redbacks were never out of the game, The Bears were able to keep them at arm’s reach.

Fast forward six months and the club has been quiet in the off-season, going about its business and getting prepared for 2016. Coach Patrick Bowden enters his second season at the helm and based on the development of the group in 2015 the same level of improvement can be expected.

The Redbacks aren’t led by a certain few stars, Ringwood in 2016 is a side full of workhorses, players who will play their role week in week out.

It would be an understatement to say the Division 3 will be close this season. A large portion of the sides that finished below the Redbacks have begun an assault on the Top 5 – Heathmont, South Belgrave and Chirnside Park should continue to develop as well as Division 4 Premiers Warrandyte.

For Ringwood, an improvement on last year’s performance is the pass mark for the season. Majority of players on the list are now experienced senior footballers and ready to take the next step.

The foundation for success is present, consistency needs to follow for the Redbacks who haven’t, in recent seasons, been able to string good seasons together.

Ringwood have shown the form that will take them to success, the back half of their 2015 season is an indication of the football they can play and the quality of the playing list.