Blackwood suffered its second loss of the season going down by 35 points to Nairne Bremer United in Round 6 of the Police Credit Union Hills Football League at Nairne Oval.

The Woods side was hampered by the late withdrawal of start forward Joel Aish and Skipper Ryan Dijksman who missed through concussion the week before. The Woods were never really in the game trailing by 19 points at half time and overrun in the second half by a rampaging home side. It was the lowest scoring game for the Woods only having 14 shots on goal whilst conceding 24 shots and continues to the poor run of form at Nairne Oval winning only one of four matches played at the venue since 2019.

Blackwood entered the match with the return of Jack Lewis from the Adelaide Crows whilst speedster Kai Tucker earnt a late call up with the withdrawal of Aish. Kicking with the aid of a strong breeze in the opening term, the home side raised the first goal in the 10th minute of the term through elusive left footer Nick Jaensch.

With both defences holding strong taking intercepting marks, it was a tough low scoring quarter. Marquee forward Darcy Hourgian raised the second of the match in the 15th minute for the Rams taking a strong contested mark on Matt Waldron in the goal square. The Woods recorded multiple forward entries but were unable to hit the goals as the breeze played havoc on the skills from both sides. It took until the 21st minute for a major to be registered for the Woods. Getting the ball out the back, Jan Warbout was able to push the ball forward to the goal square for winger Evan Johnson to soccer it through. When the quarter time siren sounded, the Woods trailed by four points.

Despite kicking with the aid of the breeze in the second quarter, the Woods were unable to capitalise from multiple attacking plays. Looking to drive the ball long and direct, the Rams defence was able to intercept on regular occasion. Both sides scored behinds in the opening part of the term until the 11th  minute when Archer Connelly was able convert a set shot from a free kick in a ruck contest. Both sides then went goal for goal with Tucker, Hourigan and Connelly picking goals for their sides. When the half time siren rounded, the Rams has extended their lead to 19 points with a strong quarter.

With a loud crowd in attendance, they were treated to a good game of Hills Football in the third quarter. Blackwood scored the first major of the premiership quarter through a Jack Lewis set shot after being found by Ben Adams on the lead. Darcy Hourigan kicked his third goal of the match taking another strong contested mark on Waldron after a long deep entry from Jaensch. Blackwood got a major back through Rhys Sporn in the 8th minute as he crumbed the pack in the goal square from a Nathan Laity set shot which fell short. The Rams then dug deep stepping on the accelerator to make some killer blows on the Woods. Josh Dodd converted a down field free kick after a late bump from Daniel Benson while Tom Bedding kicked a set shot goal in the 14th minute much to the delight of the Rams players. A late set shot on goal from Jak Baldissera for the Woods looked to turn some momentum but just missed as the Woods trailed by 29 points at three quarter time.

After some final words from goal Scott Prebble, the Woods looked to attack at the start of the last quarter. Playing on where they could, they attempted to move the ball with speed directly towards the goals. The Rams defence held strong until the eighth minute when Jack Lewis got over the back to kick the easiest of goals from the top of the goal square. Rams’ cult figure Duncan Rogers then asserted himself on the match kicking two majors. Taking a strong contested mark at the top of the square, he converted truly to raise the voices of the Rams supporters. An opportunist snap from Jak Baldissera in the 13th minute gave the Woods a chance but it was snuffed out when Jaensch kicked his second of the match from a turnover at the top of the 50. A late goal to Rogers, his third of the quarter added the cherry on the top for the Rams as they ran out 35-point winners when the final siren sounded.

Final Scoreboard

Blackwood 1.2 2.4 4.5 7.7 (49)

Nairne Bremer 2.0 5.5 8.10 12.12 (84)

Goals – Jack Lewis 3, Jak Baldissera 1, Evan Johnson 1, Rhys Sporn 1, Kai Tucker 1

Best Players – Rhys Sporn, Matt Waldron, Ben Adams, Nathan Dunn, Sam Venning

Other results

A Grade Women – Blackwood 5.7 (37) defeated Nairne Bremer 1.2 (8)

B Grade – Blackwood 4.10 (34) defeated by Nairne Bremer 5.7 (37)

C Grade – Blackwood 3.3 (21) defeated by Nairne Bremer 13.10 (88)

SC – Blackwood 4.7 (31) defeated by Nairne Bremer 5.9 (39)

U17.5G – No score provided

U17G – Blackwood 6.8 (44) defeated Nairne Bremer 0.1 (1)

JC – Blackwood 8.6 (54) defeated Nairne Bremer 3.3 (21)

U15 Boys – Blackwood 28.21 (182) defeated Glenunga 2.0 (12)

U15 Girls – Blackwood 20.10 (130) defeated Brighton 1.0 (6)

MC – Blackwood 7.12 (54) defeated Nairne Bremer 1.1 (7)

U14 Girls – Blackwood 4.5 (29) defeated Nairne Bremer 1.1 (7)

U13 Boys – Blackwood 4.7 (31) defeated by PHOS Camden 24.9 (153)

U13 Girls – Blackwood 0.3 (3) defeated by Brighton 17.17 (119)

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