The Blackwood Football Club has recorded its first victory of 2022 defeating the Mt Lofty Devils by 28 points at KX Pilates Blackwood Oval in Round 2. In a match where the Woods recorded 21 shots to 13 the victory was the 15th win in the last 17 games against the Devils.

Speaking post-match, coach Scott Prebble said it was great for the Woods to get the first win on the board. “We played some good football throughout the match, and it was a great team performance. We looked at our shortcomings from the match before and it was pleasing to see that learnt from that quickly and executed today.”

Kicking down the slope in the first quarter the Woods got on the board early with the first goal coming through tough midfielder Ed Van den Berg. Swopping from a boundary throw in, he was able to put the ball through the goals from the top of the goal square. Both sides were looking to move the ball forward with speed however both defences were holding strong. Troy Hocking got the second major for the home side in the middle part of the term. Turning the ball over in defence, the Woods were able to transition down the outer win to find Hocking out the back in the forward 50 as he was able to dribble the ball through the goals from about 30 metres out. The Devils pulled one back late in the term with a goal to full forward Connor Milde.

Captain Ryan Dijksman battles for the ball against an opponent

Making a quick start in the second period, the Woods hit the scoreboard courtesy of youngster Jaxin Faehrmann. Pressing forward Faehrmann was able to catch Nick Thompson holding the ball inside the forward 50. Going back, he kicked the ball straight over the goal umpires’ hat to register the fourth goal of the game for the Woods. The Devils then hit the accelerator kicking the next three goals for the term. Max Bawden was able to convert truly from long range, Harry Morbey kicked an acute angle set shot from the outer wing pocket and when Bennett Wood kicked a 50-metre set shot the margin was back to even with the Devils holding all the moment. Blackwood arrested some momentum holding the fort for the next period and then hit the scoreboard through exciting forward Jack Lewis. Shifting the ball from defence to attack, the Woods moved the ball down the interchange wing with skipper Ryan Dijksman kicking the ball long to a completely empty forward 50. In a scene more like the Olympic 100 metre final, Lewis beat out all other players to gather the ball first and kick the easiest of goals. A late goal to Milde saw the margin back at one point at the major break.

In perfect conditions, the home side came out firing in the third quarter. Lifting their pressure around the ball the Woods allowed the Devils no time and space. Young gun Sam Matters impacted the game capturing Bawden holding the ball in front of the Hill much to the delight of the crowd. Moving the ball with speed, through elite kicks the ball found its way to Jack Lewis in the far forward flank in the blink of an eye. Kicking long inside 50, Matt Tuck swopped on the ball over the back of the pack to kick a left foot snap goal. Dijksman was then laced out on a lead from Rhys Sporn to kick the seventh goal for the Woods through a set shot 30 metres out. Hard nut Bailey Badcoe kicked the third of the term for the Woods to push the margin out to 21 points with the Woods looking like they had all the answers. A late goal to Milde, his third of the match kept the Devils in touch with one quarter to go.

Sam Matters and Tyson Clark apply pressure to an opponent

Blackwood got the first goal of the final quarter through Lewis. Winning the ball from the clearance, Sporn kicked a long-range ball deep into the 50 with Lewis taking a contested mark and kicking straight from the goal square. Milde got the reply for the Devils to kick his fourth of the match and keep his side in with a shot at winning. Lewis kicked his second of the term and third of the match to push the margin back out. When speedy winger Kai Tucker the scoreboard deep in the term, the match was sign, sealed and delivered with the Woods securing their first victory of the season.

Recruit Ben Adams was awarded best player for his work in the midfield with reigning best and fairest Nathan Dunn, Mark Reynolds, Sam Venning and Sam Matters also capturing the praise of the coaching staff being awarded the better players. After a weekend off, the Woods face the Echunga Demons at home in an ANZAC round clash.