Round 18 – Woods qualify for the finals

The Blackwood Football Club has qualified for the finals after defeating the Mt Barker Roos by 32 points in Round 18 of the Mortgage Choice Hills Football League at U-Install-It Kitchens Oval. Speaking in the rooms post-match, coach Ryan Anderson said he was proud of the effort the players brought. “To bring that effort today was just simply outstanding. Our pressure numbers were the best they’ve been all season, it was a great team performance.”

The Woods made two changes for the all-important match with Anderson and Mark Reynolds coming into the squad. For Reynolds, it was the first time he has played A Grade since the 2017 Grand Final, some 700 days ago. Jumping out of the blocks, the Woods kicked the opening four majors of the match. Going down the slope with the breeze in the opening term, Matt Tuck made the perfect start for the Woods swopping on the loose ball to kick the opening goal in the second minute. When Daniel Benson kicked a goal in the ninth minute, Mark Reynolds in the 12^th minute and Haydn Kenny courtesy of a double 50 minute penalty kicked a goal in the 14^th minute, the Woods lead by four goals and were completely dominating the game. A late goal to Damien Payne saw the Barkeroos hit the scoreboard as time on approach. When the quarter time siren sounded, the Woods lead by 22 points and had their best first quarter of the season

Mt Barker responded at the start of the second quarter hitting the scoreboard early in the term. Able to lock the ball inside the forward half, the Barkeroos applied pressure to the defence of the Woods. Finding space in front of his defender, Simon Nunan was hit up on the lead to kick the second goal of the match for his side. When Billy Stokes swooped in a ball out the back of the marking contest the Barkeroos were back in the match. Phil Hopton stepped up for the Woods in the next play taking an intercepting mark from a Luke Andruszkiewicz as he looked to pin point a ball coming out of defensive 50. Converting truly from long range, Hopton hit the scoreboard with his first major to extend the lead back out to 12 points. Deep in the term, Stokes once again had an impact dodging Bailey Badcoe on the 50 metre arc to kick his second goal of the term and pull the margin back eight points at the main break.

The large crowd in attendance was nervous during the half time break with a victory required to help the Woods push for finals. Much like the first term, the Woods made the perfect start in the so called ‘Premiership quarter’. Moving the ball long and deep to the goal square, veteran Lucas Herbert was able to take a contested mark against two opponents and kick straight from the goal line. Simon Nunan got a reply for the visitors finding space in the forward 50 to dribble through his second major. Ryan Dijksman found his way into the match courtesy of a free kick in a marking contest. Kicking straight he extended the margin once again for his side. The Woods then put the foot on the accelerator kicking three majors from Hopton, Rhys Sporn and Matt Tuck from an acute angle to take the margin out to 35 points at the final break.

Coach Anderson gave his players one last rev up at the final break surrounded by a large group of supporters. “We’ve played a great three quarters but we can’t stop now. Everyone must put all their efforts into this final 30 minutes of football.” Jaime Groutch gave the visitors a sniff kicking first goal of the final term for the Barkeroos through a left foot snap from long range. When Henry Johnson kicked the second of the term from the goal line and Tom Worthley kicked a third for the Roos after a 50 metre penalty against Kurt Thompson, the margin was back to 17 points with plenty of time left on the clock. The Woods then dug deep to move the ball forward towards Ryan Dijksman. Receiving a free kick and 50 metre penalty for audible obscenity, Dijksman kicked a steadying goal for the Woods. Phil Hopton then nailed the door shut kicking his third major of the match to push the margin beyond five goals and secure the victory for the Woods.

With other results filtering through, the Woods rooms were a jubilant place with qualification for finals now confirmed. In his 50^th match in the red and the green, Nick Homburg was adjusted best player for the Woods gaining numerous disposals across the middle of the ground. Liam McCarthy, Hopton, Ben Macreadie and Jacob Broad also caught the eyes of the coaching staff being awarded in the better players.

In summary, the Woods played a much better brand of football compared to the previous week. Pressuring the Mt Barker player in possession, the Woods were able to cause turnovers on regular occasion across the ground. They were also able to move the ball with speed down the ground which allowed better entry into the forward 50. This helped the players being able to convert truly in front of the goals as the shots on goal were from better positions.

Final scoreboard

Blackwood 4.4 5.4 10.9 12.12 (84)

Mt Barker 1.0 4.2 5.4 8.4 (52)

Goal scorers – P Hopton 3, R Dijksman 2, M Tuck 2, D Benson 1, L Herbert 1, H Kenny 1, M Reynolds 1 and R Sporn 1

Better players – N Homburg, L McCarthy, P Hopton, B Macreadie, J Broad