Trial #1 – vs Goodwood Saints | Blackwood Football Club

After a solid eight weeks of pre-season post New Years, the Blackwood Football Club senior squad plays its first trial game of Season 2018. The trial sees the A and B Grade play Division One club the Goodwood Saints at St Marys Oval.

Taking a similar approach to the last two preseasons, the senior squad has been put through a heavy conditioning focus under the guidance of fitness coach Brendan Bishop and his team. A Grade coach Damien Salievic said building a solid fitness base is a key requirement for the upcoming season.

“The main focus for us has been the challenge of maintaining our Fitness standards. This has become challenging for the players. We are through it now and they will feel the benefits. We have ran further and harder which holds us in a strong position.”

Defender Brad Jones leading Ryan Dijksman during a running drill

Ruckman Steve Woods carries the drinks

What to expect from the Woods

As with any new football season, some change occurs to the side. With Damien Salievic continuing on as coach of the A Grade he has seen some change to his assistant coaching ranks. Matt Golding has departed to coach Hahndorf whilst Damien Venning is focusing on bolstering up the Girls Football sides. Joining Salievic as an assistant is Zac Grantham whilst Lucas Herbert has stepped into the Football Directors role. Nick McCarthy has taken over the reigns in the B-Grade and will be assisted by David Richardson.

“The change up of coaches has been a positive and provided enthusiasm around the Football club. This with the challenge of a large turnover of players has made it a challenge which all coaches have stood up and done really well.” said Damien Salievic.

Their has also been a slight change in personal from 2017 with some new faces around the A Grade squad. Recruit Ben Macreadie will be a handy addition to the side whilst several players have taken the next step with their football over the off season. Damien Salievic highlighted some key standards over the pre-season to date.

“Nick Homburg hasn’t missed a session and looks in really good .shape. Steve Woods and Jake Atkinson have managed themselves really well and enter the trials in great shape. Ryan Dijksman has been a standout. Fittest he has been in his time at Blackwood.”

He also highlighted several younger players which are ready to make the step up to the A Grade ranks in 2018. “Nathan Dunn, Bailey Badcoe and Liam McCarthy have impressed and will push for regular A grade positions in 2018.”

Jake Atkinson looks to take a mark during Round 6 of 2017

Bailey Badcoe (left) has impressed during the pre-season

As discussed by Damien Salievic, the trial game presents the first opportunity for the Woods to put into place what they have been working on during the pre-season in a more intense match situation. “Pre-season has been different being the Premiers. We need to adapt to being the hunted and be always improving and maintain our edge. We have aimed to maintain high standards and introduce new and younger players. The club has had a desire for this and now it is hear as there will be many opportunities for U/18 players to play in the seniors.”

“We have some key goals for the 3 trial matches. Skill execution and increasing our Goal scoring are focuses of the next Month. We have 3 Trials so it will be a balancing act of providing some opportunities and maintaining form.”

We are looking to build into the upcoming season which shapes as an interesting season “The HFL season will be very interesting with playing some teams 3 times. The league needs to make sure teams want to play in the Central division. It will also be interesting as to how we manage players across the season with a reduction in the number of byes.” said Salievic.

Three time Moulden Medalist Kurt Thompson gets a handball away

2017 b&f runner up Nick Homburg receives a handball during lanework

The opponent – Goodwood Saints

Looking at the first trial opponent the Goodwood Saints, they boast a solid record over the last two decades in the South Australian Amateur Football League. Some statistics include:

26 years in a row in Division 1 (the only current side to not be relegated)
Only missed playing finals, 5 times
Finished in the top 3, 17 times
8 – Division 1 Premierships

Season 2017 a mixed one for the Goodwood Saints. In the A Grade, they finished the season in sixth position missing out on the finals by one point. But were the B Grade premiers defeating Adelaide Uni by 35 points in the Grand Final.

For the A Grade, they finished with the in 7th position for attacking ability averaging 72.7 points per game. The competition average points for was 80.2.

Defence seemed to be the key focus area for the Saints averaging a meager 68.6 points against per match. This ranked them the 3rd best defence behind eventual premiers Rostrevor Old Collegians (63.4 points against) and Prince Alfred Old Collegians (67.8 points against).

In comparison, the Woods after the minor rounds averaged 89.8 points for per match (2nd in competition) and only 56.6 points against (2nd in competition). Overall the Hills Football League was a slightly lower scoring league across the season averaging 8.5 less points per match. This could be due to the ground conditions particular through the months of July and August.

Blackwood points for average

Goodwood points for average

Blackwood points against average

Goodwood points against average

Players to watch for Goodwood

Despite being a trial match, some of the better players for the Saints to watch include:

Lou Whitelock (#7)

The named captain of the club for 2018, Whitelock has been a member of the City squad for the last couple of seasons. He played 14 matches across 2017 only being named in the best players on 1 occasion, but across the last six seasons he has been played 108 matches being named in the best players on 27 occasions.

Anthony Skara (#19)

Another member of the 2017 City Squad in the City v Country game at Adelaide Oval, Skara had a strong 2017 playing all 18 matches for the Saints. He was named in the best players on 9 occasions, kicking 13 goals including 3 majors in Round 2 against Rostrevor OC. Since 2012 he has played 106 matches for the Saints kicking 103 goals and being named in the best players on 31.1% of the time (33 games)

Tom Barry (#51)

A key player for the Saints in 2017, he finished runner up in their best and fairest after kicking 24 goals and being named in the best players on 9 times from the 18 matches played. Since 2012 he has played 99 matches for the club, kicking 77 goals and been named in the best players on 36 occasions.

Scott Oakley (#unknown)

A recruit of the club in 2018, he played for the Rochester Tigers in the strong Goulburn Valley Football League. He has previously played with the Bendigo Pioneers, Port Melbourne and Norwood Football Club.