A career high five goals and 30 plus disposals from star player Nick Homburg has lead the Woods to a 92 point victory over the Lobethal Tigers in Round 13 of the Mortgage Choice Hills Football League. The victory was the Woods ninth victory of 2018 and sees the team remain in third position on the ladder. After the match coach Damien Salievic said it was an encouraging performance. “We had some good periods throughout the match. We still have plenty to work on like playing a full four quarters but there were plenty of positives.”
The Woods made three changes to their previous line up with Jake Atkinson and Lachlan Furness returning whilst current senior colts player Deqlhan Files made his A Grade debut. Files juniors the exclusive club of senior colts players to play A Grade football in Division one with 13 players doing it in the opening 12 rounds of the season.
Lobethal started kicking down the hill in the up the hill in the first term and made a great start. Moving the ball immediately forward the visitors were able to kick the first major inside the opening minute of play. The Woods then kicked into gear kicking six majors to lead by 24 points at the first break. With skipper Kurt Thompson providing run and dash from the defence the Woods were able to control the play in the middle part of the term and capitalise going forward. It was the best opening quarter the Woods have had all season with coach Damien Salievic happy at the first break. “We were able to use the ball well going forward. Our challenge now is that we must continue it in the next quarter and not drop off.”
The second quarter followed a similar pattern to the first term with the Woods controlling much of the play. Going up the slope with the aid of the breeze, the Woods were able to hold the ball inside their forward half for long periods. Kicking four goals to none for the term the home side extended their lead to 50 points at the main break. The second term was the ninth time the Woods have kept a team goalless in a quarter and the highest scoring opening half they have recorded since Round 13 of 2017, also against Lobethal.
The third quarter was a scrappy affair reaching no great heights. The travelling Tigers came out the better side after the break winning the ball around the midfield and able to control the play for periods of the term. Kicking two goals for the term, the Tigers matched it with the reigning premiers in the ‘premiership quarter’.
When the three quarter time blew, the margin remained at an even 50 points. Blackwood coach Damien Salievic urged his players to lift their performance and get back to using the ball well by foot. Going with the breeze the Woods were able to control the ball for the quarter kicking seven majors for the term. With his opponent not in close proximity all match, Nick Homburg kicked three last quarter goals to take his tally to five majors whilst first gamer Files was able to find space late in the quarter to kick his first major at A Grade level. Much to the delight of all his teammates. When the final siren sounded, the Woods had recorded a 92 point victory, their ninth of the season to take.
Overall, the Woods were to strong for the Tigers in all areas of play despite having several players missing. Blackwood was able to move the ball with speed on regular occasions and trouble the undersized Tiger defenders. Whilst the Tigers battled hard, some bad skill error and a slow defensive transition hurt any chance they had of being competitive in the match. For the Woods it was their second match in a row which they have had 30 shots on goal and the first time they have kicked at greater than 50.0% accuracy since Round 7 against Mt Barker.
After the match coach Damien Salievic said it was a good performance to record the victory today. “We played some great football in patches throughout the match. We still have plenty of areas to work on including playing a full four quarters but take the positives from today. Enjoy the win and look forward to next weekends big match against Mt Barker.”
Final scoreboard
Blackwood 6.2 10.6 12.9 19.15 (129)
Lobethal 2.2 2.4 4.7 5.7 (37)
Goals – Homburg 5, Dijksman 3, Anderson 2, Atkinson 2, Furness 2, P. Hopton 2, Edwards 1, Files 1, B. Jones 1
Best – Homburg, Thompson, Dijksman, P Hopton, Anderson
Other HFL results
B Grade – Blackwood 8.9 (57) defeated by Lobethal 10.5 (65)
Under 18s – Blackwood 6.6 (42) defeated by Lobethal 9.7 (61)
Under 16s – Blackwood 24.12 (156) defeated Lobethal 0.1 (1)
Under 14s – Blackwood 9.6 (60) defeated Lobethal 4.3 (27)
