Match Report | Hawks bring East Ringwood's undefeated streak to an end

By Ryan Long.

Rowville put an end to East Ringwood’s eight-game winning streak with an inspired second-half performance at East Ringwood Reserve this afternoon.

The visitors defeated the Roos by 29 points after a big second half performance, 13.10 88 to 8.11 59.

Dominating the first eight rounds of the season, East Ringwood entered the game without some of their key contributors, Josh Tovey and Connor Downie called up for VFL duties, reigning league best and fairest winner James Belo also still out of the side.

Rowville too had changes from their 138-point win over Mitcham, including the return of Cooper MacDonald, while Set MacDonald a late out. The Hawks forward line still undermanned without the likes of Lachlan Wynd and Maverick Taylor.

It was perfect conditions at East Ringwood Reserve as two heavyweights of the Premier Division contest went head-to-head.

A tight first quarter saw Rowville take a slender four-point lead into the first break with Brolic and Evans hitting the scoreboard early for the Hawks.

The arm wrestle continued in the second term, the first two goals from East Ringwood’s Jamie Bennell and Rowville’s Kurtis Flakemore both coming from defensive 50 turnovers by the other side.

Bennell kicked a second major for the term before a quick centre clearance from McDonald leading to a Matt Evans set shot reply. The Roos leading by just six at the major break despite having six more scoring shots.

It was goal for goal in the third term until the Hawks kicked four consecutive goals, the experienced Matt Davey booting two of those. Verrell’s first major of the day put the Hawks up by 15 points at the final break.

Momentum had shifted, the likes of Josh Clarke and Lachlan McDonald on top in the middle of the ground.

Davey booted a third second-half goal as the Hawks for the perfect start of the final term. From that moment onwards, they controlled the territory and had all the play as they recorded a

A special moment late in the game with senior debutant Lachlan Toomey running into an open goal to put through the sealer, his first goal at senior level.

A fantastic win on the road has Rowville holding their spot in third position with a record of 6-3. The gap between fourth and fifth of the Premier Division also continues to grow with Doncaster East and Vermont both going down this afternoon.