Round 10: Woods v Roos

With the first half of 2017 now complete, we head into the second round of matches with sides looking to maintain and improvement their positions on the ladder. After the first opening nine rounds, the Blackwood Football Club finds themselves in first position with seven wins and a draw, whilst the Mt Barker Football Club is sitting in fourth position with five wins and three losses. The losses which Mt Barker came in the opening three games they played, all to the top three sides, Blackwood, Hahndorf and Uraidla Districts.

The Round 10 clash at Able Storage Oval in Mt Barker presents itself as a mouth watering affair. We take a look at the match below.

History

Round 1 2017

From the opening game in Round 1 the Woods got away to a quick start in the opening quarter leading 5.2.32 to 4.1.25 at the first break. Mt Barker surged back in the second term with Ethan Bell and Simon Nunan dangerous up forward with two goals each. In the premiership quarter the Woods made the decisive move kicking 5 unanswered goals to seal the game.

The best players on the day were Ryan Anderson, Scott Bricknell, Harry Wake, Jake Atkinson and Daniel Benson with Anderson, Atkinson and Mark Reynolds kicking two goals each.

Daniel Bennetts gets some hang time over Luke Giles

Daniel Benson competes for the mark against two opponents

Previous games at Able Storage Oval

Since 2010 there have been 7 matches played between the sides at the venue. The head-to-head record in these games is: Blackwood 2 wins to Mt Barker 5 wins. It would appear that the ground is a tough travelling ground for the Woods. The results from the previous seven matches show the Woods have not scored over 100 points at the venue and only kicked ten or more goals on two occasions. The results from the previous matches are:

–   2016: Blackwood 10.16.76 defeat Mt Barker 7.5.47

–   2015: Blackwood 7.9.51 defeated by Mt Barker 13.11.89

–   2014: Blackwood 14.11.95 defeat Mt Barker 10.15.75

–  2013: Blackwood 9.10.64 defeated by Mt Barker 18.22.130

–  2012: Blackwood 4.2.26 defeated by Mt Barker 20.12.132

–  2011: Blackwood 4.7.31 defeated by Mt Barker 17.15.117

–  2010: Blackwood 8.4.52 defeated by Mt Barker 9.10.64

Thought: Could it be the ground dimensions? Measurements show the Blackwood Hill Oval has dimensions of approximately 152m x 119m compared to Able Storage Oval which has dimensions of approximately 157m x 109 metres.

James Catford looks to evade an opponent

Sam Fotheringham gets put under pressure as James Catford dives for the ball

Attack, defence and differential

From the opening nine games, both sides have established their game styles. The statistics show:

Blackwood has the best attack in the competition scoring 805 points for at an average of 101 per match. This is +22 compared to Mt Barker who has scored 635 points at an average of 79 points per match.

Defence is a key focus for the side from Mt Barker. Statistically they have the second best defence to date, only conceding on average 58 points per match in 2017. This compares to Blackwood have concede on average 61 points per match.

Combining the above two results in the Woods leading in the differential by +19. Although this is a healthy lead, looking back to the start of 2016, this is the dangerous territory for an upset to occur with 65% of matches won by the side trailing in the differential coming where sides have started the match anywhere from -12 to -24.

Players used & best players

Players used

Have a settled line up and even contribution is important factor in winning a game of AFL football. The old cliché of ‘a champion team will always beat a team of champions’. Looking at the statistics of both of these sides, Blackwood have used 27 players across the opening nine matches of 2017. This is the fewest number of any side in the competition to date. This compares to Mt Barker who have used 28 players, the second fewest of any of the nine sides.

Of the 27 players Blackwood have used, 52% have played every game. This compares to Mt Barker where 50% of players have played all eight matches. Both of these sides sit inside the top 3 for this ranking. This shows both sides have a settled line up.

Best players

The Woods have had 63% of all players used be named in the best players across the opening nine matches, whilst Mt Barker have had 54%. This compares to the competition average of 57%. These percentages show that the Woods are slightly ahead in getting different players performing each week making it harder for the opposition to shut down.

Goal kicking

Accuracy

Accurate kicking is a key factor in football. As a wise man once said, ‘bad kicking is bad football’. From the opening nine rounds, the Woods had a total of 220 scoring shots. From these scoring shots, they kicked at 53%. This compares to Mt Barker who had 180 shots on goal kicking at 51% accuracy. Both these sides sit above the competition average of 50% and have remained steady compared to 2016.

Variety of goal kickers

Not relying on one or two players to kick the goals is a key. From the opening nine matches, the Woods have had 74% of all players kick at least one goal. This is the highest percentage of any side in the competition. Additionally of the 117 goals they have kicked, 56% of them have come from the top 5 goal kickers. This is the lowest percentage of any side in the competition and 12 percentage points below the competition average of 67%.

This compares to Mt Barker where 61% of all players have kicked at least one goal and 63% of all goals kicked coming from the top 5 goal kickers.

This shows that both sides have multiple options going forward and will need to be defended well.

Ryan Anderson bursts away with the ball

Jake Atkinson takes a mark under immense pressure

Players to watch

Tom Hughes (#7) – A key player for the Barkeroos. The prime moving midfielder has played 135 games since the start of 2010 being in the best players on 68% of occasions. He has been in excellent form in 2017 playing all eight matches being named in the best players on 6 occasions.

Simon Nunan (#23) – The veteran superstar of the competition, Nunan is a key player for Mt Barker. Since 2010 he has played 139 matches being in the best players on 60 occasions and has kicked 176 goals during this time.

Luke Giles (#29) – The big ruckman is a key player getting first hand on the ball in the centre square. He has played 114 games since 2010 being in the best players on 41% of matches. In 2017 he has played all eight matches and been named in the best on 6 occasions. He has only kicked 1 goal from these 8 matches suggesting he likes to play behind the ball stopping the quick attacking plays of opposition sides.

Michael Pope (#2) – The explosive midfielder is a vital cog providing evasive skill and good ball use around the midfield and forward line. The 2017 Interleague representative has played 57 matches since 2013 kicking 39 goals and being named in the best players on 24 occasions. This includes 5 goals and 4 best players in 2017.

Henry Johnson (#19) – The full-forward has returned to the club after a season playing for the Taylors Lakes Football Club in the Horsham District Football League. The goal kicker has played 53 matches for Mt Barker where he has kicked 132 goals and been in the best players on 17 times. In 2017 he has kicked 19 goals (2.4 per game).

Sam Callins (#12) – The talented junior has been down at the Sturt Football Club in recent seasons including playing six reserves matches across 2016 and 2017. Coming back to the Mt Barker A Grade for the last five matches, he has been a key contributor being named in the best players on 4 occasions.

Phil Hopton takes a set shot at goal

Adam Ridley and Matt Waldron fly for the mark

Where is Able Storage Oval

Final thought

Pack an extra pair of pants and a warm jacket in the car, it’s always chilly at Able Storage Oval. The football won’t be the same, it’s sure to be a heater affair.

See you at the football #honourthecolours