The 5 year win less hoodoo at Uraidla Oval has continued for the Blackwood Football Club after coming away with a draw from the Round 7 Hills Football League clash with Uraidla Districts. The statistics showed before the game, the Woods have not won at Uraidla Oval since 2012 and only won two out of the past ten matches between the sides.
It was anticipated to be an arm wrestle with both sides sitting second and third on the ladder retrospectively. Blackwood made one change to their previous line up with Chris Williams making his A Grade debut.The home side started kicking towards the primary school end of the ground making the immediate early play with the aid of strong breeze. Good pressure around the ball carrier stopped the Demons having any easy shots at goal during this initial attack.
Uraidla kicked the opening two behinds of the match before Blackwood was able to move the ball up the club room wing with quick hands and leg speed. The quick ball movement resulted in the first major of the match to Blackwood after 6 minutes through half forward Daniel Benson. Uraidla got the immediate reply moving the ball forward from the centre clearance to kick their first goal of the match. The quarter then went goal for goal pattern with both sides able to score fairly easily. Goals to Travis Oakley and Nick Amato into the time on period allowed the home side to lead by 12 points at the first break resulting in their small band of supporters finding some voice
Blackwood coach Damian Salievic urged his players to get back to their way of playing football pointing out the statistics were fairly even for the quarter, but they had leaked several easy goals. Once again Uraidla made the early play at the start of the second quarter but were unable to kick straight. Blackwood moved the ball down the outer wing with speed again and big man Jake Atkinson stood up to take a pack mark and convert truly after four minutes. The Woods looked like they had kicked into gear when speedster Mark Reynolds kicked another goal in the eighth minute. The quarter then turned into an arm wrestle as both sides locked down their defences. When the half time siren blew, Uraidla young gun James Richards had a set shot at goal in front of the Blackwood interchange area. With the help of a large traveling contingent giving him some friendly advice from over the fence, he failed to score which resulted in Blackwood taking the narrowest of leads into the major break.
Just as both sides were leaving the arena, a melee broke out on the fence with all players involved. It appeared there was a yellow card shown to Will Young for Uraidla Districts in the middle of the scuffle as recruit Nick Amato voiced his displeasure – along with several Uraidla supporters – to the umpires at the standard of decisions paid by them.
As the sides were cooling off in the rooms during the half time break, the heavens opened as supporters at the venue looked for a dry, warm spot to watch the second half. The Uraidla side came out after the main break happy with the conditions, confident it would play into their hands. The umpires got the game under control with the apparent yellow card rescinded and status quo resumed when the quarter started. Blackwood made all the play in the premiership quarter controlling the ball and putting Uraidla under the pump with four goals to one. The conditions were holding off which was allowing Blackwood to continue playing their fast brand of football with great skills.
The visiting side lead by 16 points at the final change and the visiting supporters held out hope the club was on the verge of breaking the 1,807 day hoodoo at Uraidla Oval. With the rain starting to tumble Blackwood began to falter as Uraidla piled on the pressure at the start of the last quarter. Uraidla pushed the ball forward and managed to score a major as they looked like they had all the momentum. The Blackwood players began to look nervous as the visiting supporters started to bite their nails.
A dubious free kick paid against Scott Bricknell, much to the dismay of every Blackwood player, supporter and official at the venue resulted in a goal to Uraidla and saw them edge closer on the new electronic scoreboard at the venue. Uraidla then moved the ball forward and held it inside their forward 50 metre arc for an eternity as the Blackwood defence held strong. The Woods made one final move forward at the 25 minute mark but it was repelled by the Uraidla defenders. The final siren sounded with the scoreboard locked at 67 points apiece and both sides walking off the ground feeling like they should have won the game.
The better players for the visiting side were Nick Homburg who showed his class and good ball use through the middle of the ground, Scott Bricknell, Brad Jones, Ryan Anderson and Steve Woods.
The game had a finals atmosphere to it with both sides applying immense pressure around the ball. In the first half the game was an open affair with both sides able to use to the ball by hand and foot. When the heavens opened during the half time break, the game turned into one which Uraidla relish. A slow down the line game of football resulted as both sides were unable to break the defence with any regularity. The hoodoo remains for the Woods still unable to secure a win at Uraidla with the number of days to extend to 2100 days when they meet again at the oval sometime in 2018. Blackwood coach Damian Salievic said after the game it was one that got away from the side and they must learn and improve from this performance for the upcoming games.
In other games
B Grade: Blackwood defeated Uraidla by 10 points
C Grade: Blackwood defeated Uraidla by 43 points
Senior Colts: Blackwood defeated Uraidla by 71 points
Junior Colts: Blackwood defeated Uraidla by 112 points
Mini Colts: Blackwood defeated by Uraidla by 15 points
Under 14s SANFL: Blackwood defeated by Glenunga by 49 points
Under 12s SANFL: Blackwood defeated by Henley by 9 points
Under 18 Girls: Blackwood defeated by Salisbury by 109 points
Under 16 Girls: Bye
Under 14 Girls: Bye
Next weekend
@ Blackwood Hill Oval
Axemens / Ladies Luncheon
The Axemens / Ladies Luncheon is this weekend. The schedule is as follows:
– 11.00 am: Stalls and Club bar open (For the Ladies – Click here to see what stalls will be available)
– 11.30 to 12.00pm: Axemen start to arrive
– 12.30pm: Lunch and drinks service begin
– 1.45pm: Guest Speaker Chelsea Randall (Interviewed by Kendall Brettig from 5AA)
– 2.30pm: A Grade game commences
The Ladies Luncheon is brought to you by:
See you at the football #honourthecolours
