Round 8 is already upon us. Who would believe it that the season is almost half over! With only eight clubs in the Division One competition, this weekend marks the first of the second round matches with the Blackwood Football Club travelling to Arkaba Oval to play the Mt Lofty Devils.

The round sees the Woods (5-2) looking to head into the bye with a six-and-two record whilst the Devils (1-6) will look to secure the points against Blackwood for the first time in ten encounters with their last victory coming in Round 10 of 2012.

Game details

Who – Blackwood vs Mt Lofty

When – Saturday, 2 June

Where – Arkaba Oval

Times – U14s (8.45am), U16 (9.55am), U18 (11.10am), Bs (12.50pm), As (2.30pm)

Heathfield Oval

The opponent

Season 2018 has seen the Mt Lofty Football Club record only one win from its opening seven matches. This came in Round 4 against the Lobethal Tigers where they recorded a 42 point victory. From the opening seven matches, the Devils have the fifth best attack in the competition averaging 68.1 points but have the second worst defence averaging 102.1 points against. This compares to the Woods who average 72.6 points for and 59.7 points against.

The Devils have used a total of 33 players (2nd most in competition) with 30.3% (10) having played every match. This compares to the Woods who have used 31 players with 32.3% (10) having played every match. Both Hahndorf and Uraidla Districts have the highest proportion of players having played every game to date (53.8%).

Of the seven matches played, Michael Pope and Sam Miles have featured in the best players the most times (71.4% or 5 times) with Daniel Gonzales being their highest goal scorer with 11 goals (2.8 per game).

It has been a tough trot for the Devils since they have rejoined the Division One competition in 2015 after a season in Division 2 where they won the premiership. During this period they have not finished been above eight position on the ladder and have only won 11 matches (18.6%). This is worst winning percentage of any current Division one club in this period with the next closest team is Onkaparinga Valley which have won 27.1% of matches. Their struggles are shown in the statistics with the club scoring the least points (3,641 or 61.7 average) whilst conceding the most points in the same period (5,477 or 92.8 average).

Historically vs Mt Lofty

In the recent past Blackwood has held the wood over the Devils, winning the past nine encounters between the clubs. The Woods have won by an average of 44.2 points across these victories with the biggest occurring in Round 18 of 2017 (99 points) whilst the Round 1 encounter was the closest match with the Woods winning by 9 points. In these nine victory Blackwood have scored 126 goals at 58.1% accuracy whilst the Devils have scored 62 goals at 44.6% accuracy.

If the Woods can win this weekend, they will match the 10 game winning streak the Devils recorded over the Woods between Round 2 of 2006 and Round 1 of 2009 where the Devils won by an average of 55.1 points.

Last 5 matches v Mt Lofty @ Arkaba Oval

R9 2017 – Blackwood 17.13 (120) defeated Mt Lofty 13.9 (87)

R11 2016 – Blackwood 9.14 (68) defeated Mt Lofty 4.6 (30)

R1 2016 – Blackwood 15.4 (94) defeated Mt Lofty 11.10 (76)

R2 2013 – Blackwood 15.7 (97) defeated Mt Lofty 8.15 (63)

R10 2012 – Blackwood 4.13 (37) defeated by Mt Lofty 7.9 (51)

Key focus area

Can the Woods improve their attacking prowess away from home? Across the 27 matches Blackwood has played away from U-Install-It Kitchens Oval (including finals) since 2016, they have averaged 20.4 scoring shots. This figures compares to the average of 26.3 scoring shots in matches at U-Install-It Kitchens Oval during this three year period.

Other HFL matches

The other HFL matches poise to be quality battles with all sides currently placed within the top five:

B Grade – Fourth v Second on the ladder, the Woods will be looking to secure the victory after their was a draw in Round 1. It was the first time the Devils had scored any premiership points against Blackwood in the B Grade since Round 5 of 2011. The Woods will need to be on their game defensively with the Devils having the number one ranked attack in the competition averaging 22.1 shots per match at 49.7% accuracy. This compares to the Woods who have the fourth best attack averaging 14.6 shots per match at 52.0% accuracy.

Under 18s – Third v Second, this game was a close encounter in Round 1 with the Devils pipping the Woods by two points and recording a win for the first time against Blackwood in the senior colts since Round 2 of 2016. This game will be determined by can make the most of their opportunities in attack. Currently the sides rank second and third in both attack and defensive (Woods: 65.7 points for & 42.6 points against v Devils: 63.9 points for & 39.9 points against). With the top four only separated by one game, a win in this match is a vital outcome.

Under 16s – Second v Fourth. The Woods got the victory in Round 1 defeating the Devils by 19 points. Whilst the Woods are two games clear on the ladder, the game is bound to be close. The Woods are currently averaging 20.0 shots on goal at 64.3% compares to the Devils who are averaging 19.0 shots at 55.6%.

Under 14s – Fourth v Fifth. In round 1 the Woods got the victory by seven points in a close game. The Woods will be to improve their scoring having recorded less than 10 scoring shots in three of the past four matches with only a 42.4% accuracy across these games. A win will see the team remain in touch with the top three.

See you at the football!

#beapartofthemarch