The Blackwood Football Club returned to the winners circle recording a stirring come from behind victory in Round 12 of the Police Credit Union Hills Football League. Trailing by 23 points at the main break, the Woods staged a fightback in the second half kicking eight goals to two to run out 12 point winners at the final siren.

Speaking post match coach Scott Prebble stated that it was a game of two halves. “We didn’t play anywhere near our best football in the first half today. We had a strong chat in the rooms at the main break and refocused our energies. To the boys credit they came out and responded.”

The Woods entered the match making four changes including handing young gun Zac Venning his A Grade debut. The home side made the fast start kicking the opening major up the hill into the breeze. Turning the ball over across the centre line, the Rams were able to move the ball forward with speed to find Sean Arney out the back who kicked the first goal of the match. The Woods look to regain the momentum as they pushed hard forward registering multiple inside 50 entries. Despite the multiple entries the Woods were only able to register five behinds as they went into quarter time trailing by three points despite having the aid of the strong breeze.

Both groups re set themselves at the first break as both coaches urged their sides to play the game on their terms. Now with the breeze the Rams took full advantage kicking long and strong to put the Woods defenders under pressure. Dylan Whimpress kicked the second goal for the Rams with a nice long range kick. With Ben Powell intercepting every attacking play the Woods made, the Rams were in control of the match. Switching the ball to the top side the Rams got their third goal through Tom Bedding who attempted to pass to Darcy Hourigan but the ball carried forward on the breeze to bounce straight through the big sticks. The Woods finally registered their first major through Jaxin Faehrmann in the middle part of the term much to the delight of the travelling contingent of red and green fans. Two further goals to Nick Jaensch late in the term saw the Rams take a 23 point lead into half time.

Phil Hopton takes a strong mark watched on by Daniel Benson and his Rams opponent

After some strong words during the break, the Woods came out fired up in the third quarter. Bringing pressure and intensity the Woods were able to gain possession of the football from the midfield and move it forward with speed. Phil Hopton kicked the first of the term for the Woods from a soccer off the ground. When Mail Medallist Matt Tuck found Sam Venning in the goal square the Woods were on the charge and the vocal travelling crowd was up and about. Continuing to press forward Evan Johnson bobbed up to soccer a goal through that wouldn’t have looker out of place at the Euro 2020 competition. A fourth goal of the term to Zac Town saw the Woods hit the lead with all the momentum. The Rams fought back in the next period with multiple shots on goal. Nick Jaensch was able to show his class convert a long range set shot to regain the lead for his side. Late in the quarter Bailey Badcoe was able to spot up Haydn Kenny on a 45 degree angle 45 metres out. Kicking after the siren, the ball was awarded a goal much to the delight of the Woods players who mobbed Kenny.

Nathan Dunn spoils the ball out of bounds

Urging the team to bring effort and the rewards would come, coach Scott Prebble addressed his players for one last time. Continuing the momentum of the third quarter the Woods were able to control the play in the opening part of the final term into the breeze. Crafty forward Matt Tee was able to bob up and kick a snap goal for the Woods to extend the lead. When Hopton soccered through his second major of the game the margin was suddenly out to 15 points. Tee then bobbed up again deep in the scoreboard pocket catching Lachlan May holding the ball. Going back in front of a Woods contingent gathering in the pocket, Tee had veins of ice as he put the ball straight over the goal umpires hat turning to the crowd who was celebrating with joy. The Rams pulled one goal back though Grant McLeod but it was too little too late as the Woods held on to record a memorable 12 point victory.

Daniel Benson was named best player for his ferocious attack on the ball and body in the midfield whilst Oscar Hodge, Nathan Dunn, Jan Warbout and Matt Tuck also featured in the better players. The Woods see the Woods sit in fourth position percentage behind third and a game clear of fifth spot.