That time of the season have arrived, the Hills Football League Division One Grand Final for 2017. The Blackwood Football Club has made it to their first A Grade final since 2011 and are aiming to return the Premiership Cup back to Blackwood for the first time in 26 years. Our opponent for the day will be minor premiers, the Hahndorf Football Club.
The match will be broadcast live by Hills Radio 88.9FM from 1.30pm via a radio or over the internet at this link – Live Hills Radio Stream
We preview the A-Grade match up below along with the B-Grade, Senior Colts, Junior Colts and Mini Colts who are also playing on the day.
Previous encounters in 2017
The Blackwood and Hahndorf Football Clubs have played each other on three previous occasions throughout 2017. The ledger currently stands at one win to Blackwood and two wins to Hahndorf. A recap of the three matches goes like this:
Round 8 at U-Install-It Kitchens Oval – Blackwood defeated Hahndorf by 29 points
The Woods clipped the Pies to record their first victory over Hahndorf since Round 11 of 2014. On that day Ryan Dijksman kicked four majors whilst Michael Minuzzo was named best-a-field. Read full report here
Round 17 at Hahndorf Oval – Blackwood defeated by Hahndorf by 28 points
Playing off for the 2017 A-Grade Courier Cup, the Woods lead by one point at half time before being restricted to three second half goals to end up losing the game by twenty-eight points. Nick Homburg was named best for the Woods whilst defenders Daniel Bennetts and Brad Jones also received acknowledgement for their efforts. Read full report here
Second Semi Final at Uraidla Oval – Blackwood defeated by Hahndorf by 33 points
Playing off for a spot in the Grand Final, the Woods were chopped down by thirty-three points in a day where they kicked themselves out of the game by three quarter time. Kurt Thompson, Haydn Kenny and Adam Ridley were some of the players to be acknowledged for his efforts. Read full report here
Brad Jones looks to spoil the ball away from David Hankin
Lucas Herbert competes in the ruck
Statistical match up
Below is a table which summarises the statistical match up of the two sides
| Match up |  |  |
|---|---|---|
| Average height | 185.0 cm | 183.7 cm |
| Average age | 25.5 years | 25.4 years |
| Average weight | 83.5 kg | 85.6 kg |
| Winning % against Top 5 | 56% | 89% |
| Points for against Top 5 | 74 | 83 |
| Points against against Top 5 | 62 | 50 |
| Differential against Top 5 | +12 | +33 |
| Quarters won against Top 5 | 52% | 75% |
| Best quarter against Top 5 | 3rd (7 from 11) | 4th (8 from 9) |
| Shots on goal against Top 5 | 22 | 25 |
| Accuracy against Top 5 | 49.1% | 48.0% |
Michael Minuzzo kicks the ball in the semi-final
Haydn Kenny competes for the ball
The key players to watch for Hahndorf
With last weekend off the Hahndorf players will be raring to go. Here are some key players the Woods must watch:
Darcy Hourigan (#2) – The power forward of the competition is a key man of the Magpies having kicked 273 goals for the club . In 2017 he has kicked 86 goals (5.1 per match) including a bag of six majors in Round 17 against Blackwood.
Jay Shannon (#6) – A midfielder / forward who has played seven matches for Hahndorf since moving from North Adelaide and has been in the best players 100% of the time. Positions include: 1st – 0 times, 2nd – 2 times, 3rd – 1 time, 4th – 1 time, 5th – 4 times
David Hankin (#7) – Part of the big three up forward, Hankin has kicked 30 goals for the season. Has been quiet in the three games against Blackwood being held to only one goal.
Josh Wittwer (#9) – The half back he been down the hill playing for the Adelaide Crows SANFL side during the year. Returned in the latter part of the season being named in the best players on both the Round 17 and Semi Final match ups.
Daniel Roberts (#10) – The ruckman is a notable player on the field due to his large frame. Has played thirteen matches in 2017 being in the best players on nine occasions. Not an overly big goal kicker with only three goals for 2017 and 27 since 2010
Scott Purling (#16) – A smooth moving centre-half back who is critical for the Magpies as he makes countless intercepting marks and spoils across the half back line. Must have his influence nullified.
Matthew Jaensch (#18) – The former Adelaide Crow will play as the ‘maverick’ for the Magpies starting off the half back line and roaming wherever he feels like going. Must be watched and not allowed to use his lethal kicking skills.
Dylan Matsen (#25) – A junior of the Hahndorf club, has played eleven matches being named in the best players eight times and kicked ten goals.
Shutting down Darcy Hourigan will be a team effort
Ryan Anderson crashes into key Hahndorf player Josh Wittwer
Grand Final quirks
Grand Finals are a funny game often producing a result which people would not expect. Some interesting statistics from the last seven Hills Football League Division One A Grade Grand Finals include:
– The side which has won the Preliminary Final has gone on to win six of the last seven Hills Football League Division One Grand Finals. Hahndorf in 2016 was the first time the team with the week off since 2009 to win.
– The average points for by the Grand Final winner is 82 whilst the points against is 67.
– The last seven winners have averaged 22 shots on goal at 52.9%. The losers has averaged twenty shots at 46.8%.
– Only one Grand Final winner in the last seven has scored 15 goals (Hahndorf in 2016).
– The team which has won the last quarter has won 6 of the past 7 grand finals.
– Only four individual players in the last seven grand finals have kicked four goals or more: Leith Marston in 2010 (4 goals), Jesse Aish in 2014 (6 goals) and David Hankin & Luke Roberts (4 each) in 2016.
– The player voted best-on-ground in the last seven grand finals has averaged at least seven times in the best players across the season. Players to do this for either side in 2017 are: Blackwood – Kurt Thompson, Nick Homburg, Scott Bricknell, Michael Minuzzo, Brad Jones and Hahndorf – Darcy Hourigan, Matthew Jaensch, Dylan Matsen, Jay Shannon, Daniel Roberts.
Other grades
B Grade – Blackwood v Hahndorf
This game should be a tight and tough affair with the results three matches played to date being close games. In the semi-final the side went down by 28 points after only kicking one second half goal. They however bounced back in the Preliminary Final off the left boot of forward Ben Papps who kicked 4 majors and were dominate in the midfield with Jacob McCarthy and Troy Edwards having outstanding games. The Woods will no doubt keep a close watch on the following players: B. Johnson (#38), B. Hopgood (#29), B. Salt (#52), B. Smart (#24) and M. Stansborough (#11).
Matt Thomas flies for the ball during the B Grade Semi Final
Mitch Smith lays a tackle during the B Grade Semi Final
Senior Colts – Blackwood v Hahndorf
The senior colts recorded a solid 57 point victory in the Preliminary Final against Onkaparinga Valley. The senior colts have had an even spread all season with 68.5 % of players being in the best players and kicking at least one goal . Having not beaten the Hahndorf side yet this season, the side will come out all guns blazing after falling agonisingly short in the semi-final. Key players the Woodsmen must watch include: A. Eckermann (#25), C. Hough (#33), C. Zander (#15), L. Hesse (#21) and M. Harris (#23),
Senior Colts Semi Final Action
Senior Colts Semi Final Action
Junior Colts – Blackwood v Mt Lofty
After suffering their first defeat at the hands of Mt Lofty in the semi-final, the junior colts bounced back to form with a 36 point victory in the Preliminary Final. Mitch Robertson was in sparkling form kicking 5 goals for the match. From the three matches the sides have played this season, Blackwood holds the advantage 2-1 and must watch players including: J. Bilsborow (#3), E. Cass (#25) and S. Stewart (#1).
Junior Colts Semi Final Action
Junior Colts Semi Final Action
Important links
Final Thought
It’s time.
See you at the football #honourthecolours
