The Blackwood Football Club recorded its fourth victory on the trot defeating Uraidla Districts by 46 points in Round 5 of the Police Credit Union Hills Football League. The victory was a remarkable match considering the Woods were down to no interchange players at the start of the third quarter and only 17 players for the last quarter and a half.
Speaking post-match coach Scott Prebble said it was pleasing to see the team work together despite all the knock backs. “Often you would see a team say this isn’t our day with all the injuries and let the opposition run all over them. To the players credit they fought through this and to outscore Uraidla with one less player was a great effort.”
The Woods entered the clash with one change to the side welcoming back Phil Hopton for his 150th match in the red and green. Kicking down the slope in the first quarter Uraidla registered the first goal of the game through big man Jesse Landers. The Woods began to hit their straps in the middle part of the quarter kicking three quick goals. The first came through Alex Scott kicking a goal from long range. Star forward Joel Aish then impacted the match kicking successive goals in a matter of minutes including one miracle snap from the clubrooms pocket. A late goal from star onballer Nick Amato saw the Demons pull the margin back to four points at the first break.
Coach Prebble urged his players to slow the Demons ball movement down in the second quarter and not allow so many play ons from marks. The Woods kicked the opening major of the quarter through hard-nosed midfielder Daniel Benson. Both sides defences were holding up well with the ball bouncing between the forward 50 arcs. Youngster Cameron Spry kicked the third goal for the Demons taking a strong mark on the lead 35 metres out in the club room pocket. When player coach Dean Terlich converted truly from a set shot the margin was back to three points with the Woods also down to only one player on the interchange bench through key injuries.
Coming out after half time, the Woods stepped on the accelerator kicking early majors. Finding space on the wing, Evan Johnson was spotted up by Youngster Patrick Hillard. Playing on, Johnson kicked truly much to the delight of the large home crowd. When Johnson kicked his second moments later and Aish converted a set shot the Woods extended the margin to four goals. The Woods were down to no interchange players when recruit Alex Scott was taken from the field following a collision. Moments later the Woods were down to 17 players with Aish leaving the field holding his leg after being tackled. The crowd went quiet as they wondered how their side would respond.
Despite having one less player, the Woods kept on attacking and registering further goals to Jaxin Faehrmann and Phil Hopton to maintain a 23-point lead at 3 quarter time. Urging his players to dig deep and look to keep momentum coach Prebble gave his players one last rev up. Not taking a backward step, the Woods ran all over the top of the Demons. Phil Hopton began to find space kicking his second goal, whilst Benson and Dijksman hit the scoreboard with clever shots. When Hopton kicked his third of the game from a mark in the goal square the margin was beyond seven goals as the final siren sounded.
Nathan Dunn was awarded best player for the Woods with his dominant game in the back lines, with Daniel Benson, Matt Tuck, Sam Venning and Dijksman also featuring in the better players.
Final Scoreboard
Blackwood 3.2 4.8 9.10 13.11 (89)
Uraidla Districts 2.4 4.5 5.11 5.13 (43)
Goals – Joel Aish 3, Phil Hopton 3, Daniel Benson 2, Evan Johnson 2, Ryan Dijksman 1, Jaxin Faehrmann 1, Alex Scott 1
Best Players – Nathan Dunn, Daniel Benson, Matt Tuck, Sam Venning, Ryan Dijksman
Other results
B Grade Men – Blackwood 9.2 (56) defeated Uraidla Districts 5.5 (35)
C Grade – Blackwood 15.24 (114) defeated CBC 3.2 (20)
Senior Colts – Blackwood 15.15 (105) defeated Uraidla Districts 1.3 (9)
Junior Colts – Blackwood 9.7 (61) defeated Uraidla Districts 3.6 (24)
Under 15 – Blackwood 5.1 (31) defeated by Walkerville 13.9 (87)
Mini Colts – Blackwood 12.11 (83) defeated Uraidla Districts 1.0 (6)
Under 13 – Blackwood 12.9 (81) defeated Brighton 4.2 (26)
Under 12 – Blackwood 11.12 (78) defeated PHOS Camden 3.5 (23)
Under 7 to 11 – No scores kept
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