Roos complete redemption story in thrilling Grand Final

By Josh Ward.

After 24 years, East Ringwood have returned to the summit of the EFNL after defeating Rowville by five points in a gripping Premier Division Grand Final at Jubilee Park.

In front of a packed Jubilee Park crowd, the Roos were able to hold off a late Hawks surge to win 10.5 (65) to 8.12 (60).

It marks a first top flight premiership for East Ringwood since their famous 2002 flag against East Burwood as well as a second premiership in the past five years.

Tristan Tweedie led the charge in defence, plucking many grabs and spoiling aplenty on his way to Best on Ground honours for the decider.

Both Weatherill’s also had excellent games, providing plenty of presence around the ground alongside Felix Seymour.

Josh Fox and Remy Maclean were also at the prominent best in attack, with Fox kicking three goals and clunking many grabs alongside Maclean who chipped in with two goals.

For the Hawks another fantastic season comes to a close in heartbreaking fashion as they fall short in their third Premier Division Grand Final since 2022.

AFL prospect Baxter Sruk’s class shone through in only his second senior game, kicking two goals and providing plenty of opportunities in attack.

Midfield trio Anthony Brolic, Lachlan Stapleton and Tyler Edwards fought hard alongside VFL-listed star Josh Clarke, who worked his way into the contest on a wing.

The Hawks midfield were under the pump early as the Roos got off to a quick start kicking with a handy breeze towards the Aquanation end of Jubilee Park.

Kicking three goals in the first seven minutes, two of which off the boot of Maclean, the Hawks then started to steady midway through the term and restrict the Roos ability to impact the scoreboard.

After kicking a goal themselves just before time on, the Hawks then conceded two goals in the dying stages of the opening term to trail by 26 points at the first change.

Now kicking with the breeze in the second term, Ben Wise’s men were able to start playing a bit more freely and aggressively as they look to take advantage of it.

Following a solid defensive stand from the Roos, the Hawks broke through and kicked the first three goals of the term before a goal apiece late in the quarter saw East Ringwood hold a one-goal advantage at the main break.

As the Roos looked to seize momentum in the third term kicking with the breeze, the Hawks ensured they wouldn’t have to pay full toll for kicking into it.

East Ringwood still managed to kick the first two goals of the term through Fox before a late Josh Clarke goal saw Rowville enter the final break of 2026 down by 11 points and kicking towards the scoring end in the last.

Their task got made a little bit tougher as Blake Pearson goaled inside the first minute of the term before Baxter Sruk responded with his second to keep the margin at 11 points.

Rowville kept peppering the goals after that but failed to capitalise before East Ringwood struck next through Ryan Webster to push their lead back out to 14 points.

Jordan Jaworski then responded for the Hawks who continued to pile on the pressure after that goal. But much like earlier on, they failed to find the big sticks as the Roos defence continued to stand tall.

Paul Griffiths’ men were then able to keep the ball in their attacking half for the final few minutes of the game to ensure another famous victory on Premier Division Grand Final day.