The opening round of the Hills Football League has been a good one for the Blackwood Football Club recording a five from five clean sweep.
It was a big day for the club with the opening of the new coaches box alongside members of parliament Nicole Flint and Sam Duluk. It was also ladies day at the club with over 60 attendees.
Federal member for Boothby Nicole Flint, State member for Davenport Sam Duluk and Blackwood Football Club president Jason Burns at the unveiling for the new coaches box
After recording four victories in the mini – junior and senior – colts, and the B-grade, fine conditions greater the players and spectators for the main game. Blackwood started kicked down the hill with the aid of what you would say was a two goal breeze. The Woods got out of the blocks early with a strong mark and straight conversion by big man Jake Atkinson in the second minute of the match. Mt Barker immediately replied through Tyson Scott. Blackwood then got the next two majors through Daniel Benson and Mark Reynolds. The quarter then turned into an arm wrestle with Blackwood taking a 7 point leading into the first break.
Captain Kurt Thompson giving instructions to his fellow defenders at quarter time
The second quarter started much like the first with Blackwood getting an early goal this time through Ryan Anderson. Simon Nunan from Mt Barker then asserted himself and class on the game booting the next two goals in the third and eighth minutes of the quarter. When Mt Barker’s Ethan Bell kicked a goal in the 10th minute it seemed as if the visitors had all the momentum of the match. Sam Hammond from the Barkeroos then received a yellow card in the 15th minute after a high elbow was raised on Blackwood player Jacob McCarthy. Blackwood were the able to wrestle some tempo back with new recruit Nick Homburg kicking his first goal for the club after 21 minutes. Ethan Bell bobbed up late in the quarter to kick his second major and give the Barkeroos a 3 point lead at the major break.
Ladies Day 2017 at the Blackwood Football Club
With the ladies day raffle drawn and refreshment drinks ordered the umpires and players came back onto the centre stage. Both sides knew this half would be a big one as getting a win in the first game of the season gives some great momentum. Michael Minuzzo was able to make the perfect start again for the home side kicking a snap goal in a pack at the top of the goal square. The quarter was very much the home sides with further goals to Reynolds, Anderson, Adam Ridley and Jan Warbout which gave them a 32 points advantage at the final break.
Coach Damien Salievic gives some instructions at the final change
Both sides were given their last words of wisdom by their retrospective coaches as they both aimed to secure the valuable two points. The final quarter turned into an arm wrestle with Mt Barker having opportunities but unable to convert them and get themselves back into the game. When the final siren sounded just before 5pm the temporary scoreboard read, 13.10.88 to 10.5.65.
Overall it was what you expected in an opening match of the season with both sides not playing their best football across the whole match. The midfielders of the home side were able to use the conditions to their advantage making Mt Barker look slow at times. Dashing run for the back half was a highlight for the Woods often turning Mt Barker skill errors into goals at the other end.
The better players for the Woods were Anderson, Bricknell, Harry Wake, Atkinson and Benson. It was important that the home side got the two points with two weeks off to come with a bye and the Easter weekend coming up.
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