Tigers tamed by 120 points

Round 13 of the Hills Football League was another successful weekend for the Blackwood Football Club recording its ninth win of the season after a 120 drubbing of the Lobethal Tigers. Greeted by sunny conditions, Blackwood made one change with Daniel Benson coming back into the side in place of Nathan Dunn who was sent back to the reserves.

Lobethal won the toss and kicked up the hill with the aid of a strong breeze in the opening quarter. The 3 goal breeze was of no help for the Tigers as Blackwood got the first goal of the match through big man Jess Watchman after 2 minutes. When they got the next centre break and goal to Phil Hopton things were looking ominous for the traveling Tigers. The Woods had majority of the play for the quarter however the wind was having an impact. The Tigers too numerous intercepting marks deep in defence as they held on. When the quarter time siren blew, Blackwood lead by 19 points.

Jess Watchman takes a set shot on goal

Steve Woods gets off the ground as he goes to take a mark

The Lobethal huddle was a quiet group at the first change as they searched for answers. Their coach urged them to start working harder and be accountable in defence. These words had little impact as the Woods came out all guns blazing at the start of the second quarter. Michael Minuzzo kicked his first goal of the match in the third minute and this opened the flood gates. In the next ten minutes of the quarter the home side piled on four goals through Ryan Dijksman, Daniel Benson, Paul Magarey and James Catford to have a handsome eight goal lead half way through the second quarter. The Tigers managed to claw one back at the 15 minute mark but it was all to no avail as Blackwood was in complete control. A clever play in the 21st minute from half forward Dijksman who kept the ball in play deep in the club room pocket saw Adam Ridley kick a goal from the goal line. If not for some inaccurate kicking, the Woods would’ve had a bigger lead at the main break. The scoreboard read 12.13.85 to 2.4.16.

With a large home crowd in attendance, the atmosphere was loud under the shelter during the main break. Blackwood were down to only one fit man on the bench as the third quarter began. This didn’t have an impact as Minuzzo kicked the first goal of the term after two minutes. Additional goals to Hopton and Magarey in the first five minutes as the Lobethal players wondering what they could do. There was no drastic changes from the Lobethal coaching panel at the main break as Blackwood players were able to do whatever they pleased. The only highlight of the quarter for the traveling Tigers was a goal half way through the quarter. Blackwood ran out the quarter with no fit players on the bench as Michael Minuzzo was assisted from the ground with a head knock after a sling tackle. When Senior Colt captain Levi Grigg marked and goaled at the 26 minute mark the Woods lead by 99 points at the final change.

Coach Damien Salievic addresses his players at quarter time

Nick Homburg picks up at the ball as James Catford watches on

Blackwood coach Damian Salievic urged his players to finish the game despite no fit players on the bench whilst Lobethal were asked to find some mongrel and make the home side earn it in the last quarter. Blackwood once again for an early goal with Matt Tuck kicking a goal inside 55 seconds. With Nick Homburg having a serious case of leather poisoning for the day, Jess Watchman kicked his third goal in the fifth minute of the quarter. To the credit of Lobethal they worked hard period of the match but simply didn’t have the cattle to match it with the Woods. Watchman and Hopton kicked the last two goals of the game as the Woods ran out 120 winners, 22.19.151 to 4.7.31.

The better players on the day were Nick Homburg who had over 40 disposals at a high efficiency, Phil Hopton with 5 majors, Senior Colt Levi Grigg who kicked two goals in his third game of A Grade, James Catford and Kurt Thompson.

Summary

Overall, the Woods were a clear class above the side from Lobethal who had to many players who didn’t have an influence on the game. The Woods were allowed to do what they wanted on the field, with time and space to dispose of the ball. This proved costly for Lobethal as Blackwood regularly moved the ball with speed and pin point accuracy from one end of the ground to the other. Coach Damien Salievic was buoyed with the win in the rooms after the match stating “it was a good performance to play four quarters of football. We must continue to work hard at training and work towards achieving our goals for the season.”