Round 2 of the Mortgage Choice Hills Football League sees the Woods travel to Echunga Oval to take on the Demons. After a nine-point victory over Mt Lofty in Round 1, the Woods will be looking to continue the winning start to the season in Round 2.
Speaking after Round 1, coach Damien Salievic said “its important early in the season to get wins on the board. Early in the season it is about building momentum and banking points before the wet and heavy conditions in the middle part of the season. Echunga will be a tough opponent and we must be switched on from the very start of the match.”
Game details
Who – Blackwood vs Echunga
When – Saturday, April 21
Where – Echunga Oval
Times – U14s (8.45am), U16 (9.55am), U18 (11.10am), Bs (12.50pm), As (2.30pm)
Echunga Oval
The opponent
Season 2017 saw Echunga finish in 6th position on the ladder wins seven wins and nine losses. The Demons finished with the seventh best attack in the competition (69.3 points for) and the seventh best defense (83.0 points against)
In the four seasons Echunga have played in Division One, Echunga has ranked as the seventh best attacking side (75.7 points for across Division 1 games) and the eighth best defence (89.8 points against across Division 1 games). In their premiership season in 2014, the Demons had the best attack in the competition averaging 94.5 points for and fourth best defence averaging 77.3 points against.
In Round 1 against Mt Barker, Echunga lead by eight points at the final break by conceded seven unanswered goals in the final quarter to lose by 37 points. Joel Aish kicked two goals whilst Luke Carey was named best player for the Demons.
Last five matches v Mt Lofty
- R15 2017 – Blackwood 6.8 (44) defeated Echunga 5.8 (38)
- R 6 2017 – Blackwood 17.14 (116) defeated Echunga 12.10 (82)
- R10 2016 – Blackwood 23.17 (155) defeated Echunga 6.12 (48)
- R1 2016 – Blackwood 17.10 (112) defeated Echunga 11.7 (73)
- R13 2015 – Blackwood 8.6 (54) defeated by Echunga 10.15 (75)
Players to watch
Seeking to improve on 2017, the Demons have recruited heavily over the off-season. Some of the better players to watch include:
Luke Durdin (#8)
Recruited from South Adelaide, the key defender played 18 league matches for the Panthers in 2017 kicking 1 goal and being named in the best players on 3 occasions. In Round 1, Durdin was named second best for the Demons.
Xavier Gotch (#12)
Another recruit from South Adelaide, Gotch is a hard-nosed midfielder played 132 league matches. During 2017 he played 11 matches kicking 7 goals and being named in the best players on 8 occasions.
Jacob Broad (#26)
Recruited from Torrens Valley, Broad played 35 matches for the Lions across 2016 and 2017 being named in the players on 10 occasions (28.7%). In Round 1, Broad was named third best for the Demons.
#beapartofthemarch
