Blackwood overpowered neighbouring rival Ironbank to claim premiership glory in last Saturday’s Hills Football League Central Division B-grade grand final at Hahndorf Oval.
In a low scoring, sometimes dour battle for the Reserves crown, the two teams provided an entertaining tussle before Blackwood were able to register an 8-8 to 5-4 win.
The 2011 victory added to Blackwood’s previous Central B-grade titles of 1995, 1996, 2000, and 2008, while the match marked first appearance of the Ironbank club in a HFL Central Division senior grade grand final.
The two teams had previously met in the second semi final which culminated in a win to Ironbank, but the result was overturned when it was deemed the Thunderers had fielded an ineligible player.
Having taken the long pathway through the preliminary final, Ironbank entered Saturday’s clash against the minor premier in confident fashion, however, amid warm and breezy conditions, the sides opened in cautious fashion, with defences holding sway over the initial stages.
Blackwood raising the first goal at the Pine Avenue end of the ground, as both teams issued strong tackling and a hard approach at the ball in a bid to gain initial authority.

Best on Ground player Jason Pope clears for the Woods.

The Thunderers found it hard to penetrate deep into attack, as Blackwood defended with purpose and rebounded creatively.
Luke Fisher gained a holding the ball decision in the goal square and duly converted for Blackwood, before Ironbank finally raised its opening major midway in the term.
Jason Pope was displaying signs of a prominent contribution for the Woods, and his late goal pushed Blackwood into quarter time holding a 3-1 to 1-1 advantage.
Rebound football again became the trend in the second term as the Woods held a seven-point break at half-time, and while the contest continued to be dour, with few highlights, the stern battle to emerge with the premiership was keeping the crowd interested.

Veteran Dean Farrell flies high in the ruck.

In what had become a real arm wrestle, both sides sought to pounce on opportunities, and Blackwood were able to further increase the advantage by adding two goals in the third term, while restricting Ironbank’s return from a second use of the breeze to just two behinds, providing a 5-7 to 3-4 score line at the three-quarter time interval.
Once again free flowing play was negated by tackling and unforced errors until the middle stages of the fourth term, when Blackwood all but sealed the deal with two successive goals to open a lead of 27 points – the largest buffer between the teams all match – before eventually claiming the flag by 22 points.
Building on experience gained at A-grade level, Pope and ruckman Nick Work led from the front for Blackwood, with Pope earning the Harold Raymond Medal for his efforts, while Pat Needham, Nathan Lewis and Hamish Bills were others to supply major inspiring moments for the Woods.

Text courtesy Jeff Pistola, the Courier

See all the action photos taken by Fiona Zevenboom by clicking HERE