The Blackwood Football Club suffered an eight point loss at the Nairne Bremer Rams at Qube Logistics Oval in Round 10 of the Mortgage Choice Hills Football League. The loss is the fourth of the season for the Woods and continues their inconsistent run during 2019.
The Woods made two changes to the side which defeated Mt Barker during Round 9 welcoming River Moore and Ryan Williams who was a late inclusion for Brad Jones who withdrew through illness. The hosting Rams made a fast start kicking the opening major through veteran Luke Murphy. Kicking the ball deep inside 50, Murphy out bodied Nathanael Dudley at the top of the goal square to take the mark and kick the first major. The Woods then kicked the next two majors from Ryan Dijksman and Lucas Herbert to give themselves a six point advantage. Costly turnovers across the half back line from the Woods saw the Rams score two majors from Elijah Horrocks and Lachlan Cross. A second major to Luke Murphy as time on approaches saw the home side extend their margin to 13 points at the first break, much to the delight of the large home crowd in attendance.
At the first break, Blackwood coach Ryan Anderson urged his players to lift their games. “We are trying to play like millionaires at the moment. We need to get the basics right first, hit targets by hand and foot and play simple football.” The Woods were able to move the ball forward in the opening part of the second quarter but were unable to capitalise on the scoreboard. With the Rams locking the ball down and winning around the contest they were able to keep the Woods at bay. In the 15th minute the ball was moved down the slope with Micah Rupcic able to kick the fifth major of the match for the Rams and extend their margin. It turned out to be the only major of the term as both sides fought hard in defence.
Much like the second quarter, the Woods pushed the ball forward for large chucks of the term but were unable to score a major. Defending for their lives, the Rams stopped the Woods from having any easy shots on goal. A goal saving tackle which stopped Ryan Dijksman running into the open goal from a forward stoppage summed up the desperation from the Rams in the term. Ryan Anderson had to leave the ground in the middle part of the term through a concussion after receiving a stray boot to the top of the head and he fell forward in the middle part of the ground. Goals to Luke Murphy and Mitch Hein saw the Rams take a 29 point lead into the final break.
With Anderson heading to hospital, coaching Director Damian Salievic took charge of the Blackwood huddle at three quarter time. He urged his players to believe they could get themselves back into the match and move the ball forward at all costs. Matt Tuck got the first goal for the Woods in the fourth minute of the term to draw the margin back. Swooping on a handball from Rams defender Lachlan May, Tuck snapped the ball across his body on his left foot over the goal umpires head. When Dijksman kicked his second major from around the body infront of vocal home crowd pulled the margin closer. The Woods continued to the surge the ball forward but were only able to score behinds. As time on approaches Dijksman kicked his third major of the match to draw the margin back to eight points with two minutes to play. The Rams were able to move the ball forward and lock it inside their forward 50 and record their first victory in Division one, much to the delight of their supporters.
Captain Kurt Thompson was named best player for the Woods providing outstanding drive across the half back line whilst James Hopton, Matt Tuck, Nick Homburg and Jacob McCarthy also featured in the better players. After other results, the Woods drop to sixth position on percentage with key matches against fourth placed Onkaparinga Valley and third placed Echunga to come in the next two matches.
Final scoreboard
Blackwood 2.0 2.2 2.5 5.9 (39)
Nairne Bremer 4.1 5.1 7.4 7.5 (47)
Goal scorers – R. Dijksman 3, L. Herbert 1, M. Tuck 1
Better players – K. Thompson, J. Hopton, M. Tuck, N. Homburg, J. McCarthy
Other HFL Results
B Grade – Blackwood 22.13 (145) defeated Nairne Bremer 0.2 (2)
Senior Colts – Blackwood 8.11 (59) defeated Nairne Bremer 5.6 (36)
C Grade – Blackwood 6.13 (49) defeated by Kersbrook 15.9 (99)
Junior Colts – Blackwood 14.9 (93) defeated Nairne Bremer 0.3 (3)
Mini Colts – Blackwood 3.6 (24) defeated Nairne Bremer 2.7 (19)
Open Womens – Blackwood 1.3 (9) defeated by Uraidla Districts 14.5 (89)
Under 16 Girls – Blackwood 4.6 (30) defeated Mt Barker 1.0 (6)
#youwoods
