The Blackwood Football Club would like to welcome the following players to the Woods for Season 2019.
Marcus Linsen
Linsen joins the Woods having previously played for the Western Suburbs Magpies in the AFL Sydney competition. Across the 129 senior matches he has played, Linsen has kicked 66 goals and been named in the best players on 64 occasions (49.6 percent). Standing at 185cm and 86kg, the inside midfielder will add some much needed strength through the mid part of the ground.
“Marcus has been fantastic since joining the group. He has been great with his voice and direction to our younger players and has brought some real strength to our midfield work,” said senior coach Ryan Anderson.
Nathanael Dudley
The utility forward/defender has impressed having come to the club from North Eastern Victoria where he played for the Yackandandah Football Club and before that for the Myrtleford Football Club. The 29 year old has 159 games of senior football experience where he has kicked 40 goals and been named in the best players on 56 occasions (35.2 percent). He is a solid built individual at 190cm and 94kg and will provide great versatility across the ground. “Doug has looked like a natural forward that we have been looking for, he reads the game really well. He has fitted into the club nicely and looking forward to seeing him be a key part of our team this year.” commented Ryan Anderson.
Martin Thompson
Standing at a slight 169cm and 69kg, the brother of former Socceroo Archie Thompson is a crafty forward pocket who will add some mercurial goal sense and tackling pressure up forward. In the 84 senior games he has played, Thompson has kicked 139 goals (1.65 per game). Discussing how Thompson has gone during pre-season, senior coach Ryan Anderson said, “Marty is a excitement machine, he looks like he can do anything during our match sim games. He brings a lot of energy and has fun with his football.”
Rhys Sporn
Returning to the Woods after missing two seasons due to injury, Sporn hasn’t missed a beat having done 95% of training sessions this pre-season. The speedy midfielder/forward with good foot skills adds another option for Ryan Anderson and his coach staff. “Rhys has been great since returning, has brought some real professionalism to the group. Encouragement and advice to younger players has been fantastic to watch”
Josh Taylor
Taylor is a former Woods junior having played 39 games from 2011 to 2013 including being a member of the successful 2013 Senior Colts premiership side coached by current B Grade coach Nick McCarthy. “Josh has slotted straight back into the club. I am really looking forward to seeing him play this year. He has shown some skill and strength around the contest this pre-season in our games at training,” said Anderson.
Jacob Parry
Another player who returns to the Woods, Parry has not played football since 2008 when he played in the Senior Colts side which lost in the semi-final to eventual premiers Ironbank. “Jacob’s energy, voice and direction is really good to watch at training. Brought some toughness to our match sim games.” commented Anderson
Marcus Linsen
Nathanael Dudley
Martin Thompson
Rhys Sporn
With the season only four weeks away, trial games kick off this Saturday afternoon with the senior squad taking on Encounter Bay at Encounter Bay Oval on Saturday the 16th of March. “We have two quality trial matches lined up against Encounter Bay and Flagstaff Hill. These trial will provide us with an opportunity to put what we’ve been working on across the pre-season into match scenarios. The whole senior group are really excited to be able to do that.” commented Anderson.
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