The Blackwood Football Club secured its third successive victory defeating the Nairne Bremer Rams by seven points in a nail-biting match in Round 15 of the Police Credit Union Hills Football League at KX Pilates Blackwood Oval.

Trailing for majority of the match, the Woods dug deep in the second half to come back from being down by 26 points mid-way through the third quarter to take the lead in the dying seconds of the final quarter and secure the victory.

Speaking post-match, coach Scott Prebble stated he was proud of the determination the side showed in the match. “Whilst we didn’t play our best football for the first two and a half quarters, we kept ourselves in the match and to the credit of every single player, played our method and got the victory.”

Matt Waldron takes a strong contested grab

Blackwood entered the match making four changes with welcoming back Jack Lewis, Bailey Pedro, Kai Tucker and Matt Waldron. Making a fast start, Lewis kicked the opening major for the Woods inside the third minute courtesy of a high tackle free kick. The visiting Rams then kicked into gear booting the next four goals of the match. Moving the ball long and direct they applied pressure the defensive structure of the Woods. Defender come forward Kurt Waterman kicked the first for the Rams through an acute angle set shot. Further goals to Liam Swiderski, Archer Connolly and Darcy Hourigan saw the Woods trail by 16 points at the first break.

With the aid of a breeze in the second quarter, Blackwood hoped to be able to capitalise and pull themselves back into the match. It was the Rams who continued to push hard with nifty forward Josh Dodd booting their fifth goal in the first minute of the quarter. The Woods hit the scoreboard in the 12th minute with Rhys Sporn kicking a set shot from the boundary line in the outer pocket. Nairne got the immediate reply with key forward Hourigan kicking the easiest of goals in the 14th minute courtesy of a turnover from the Woods in the midfield. When Heath McDougall kicked a running goal in the 18th minute, the Rams had all the momentum, and a big victory was on the cards. Late goals to Kai Tucker and Blackwood captain Ryan Dijksman saw the margin back to 11 points at the main break.

With a large crowd and loyal crowd in attendance, Blackwood hoped to pull themselves back into the match in the premiership quarter. Going against the strong breeze, the Woods were able to have repeated forward 50 entries at the start of the term. Speedy forward Jaxin Faehrmann booted the first of the term for the Woods swopping on a loose ball to snap it straight through the middle. Nairne got one back through a long-range conversion from Archer Connolly in the 14th minute. Blackwood got the immediate reply through Jack Lewis in an effort more akin to a soccer field. With the ball dribbling to what seemingly felt like a boundary throw in. Lewis had a hail-mary soccer shot on goal with the ball dribbling straight through the middle in what is one of the goals of the season. The Rams then booted the next two of the game through Dodd and Waterman to push the margin back out to 20 points. As time on approached, Blackwood pushed hard forward kicking three goals in red time. Faehrmann was able to kick his second of the term in a similar right foot snapshot. Defender turned forward Matt Waldron snug in the match in the next four minutes kicking two majors. Taking a strong contested mark from 50 metres out, he was able to goal back and convert truly to the delight of teammates. When he kicked a goal line conversion in the 28th minute, the Woods were suddenly back in the match with the margin of two points at the final break.

After some inspiring words from both coaches, the sides game out all guns blazing at the start of the last quarter. A victory for both sides would shape the season for both. Locking the ball inside their front half for much of the term, the Woods pressed hard for the victory however were unable to score the required goal. In the ninth minute, Nairne managed to move the ball forward towards Hourigan who was able to mark at the top of the 50. Going back and kicking straight, he gave the visitors an eight-point lead. Continuing to push hard forward, Kai Tucker was able to kick an opportunist snap in the 16th minute to pull the margin back to one point with plenty of time left on the clock. Blackwood controlled the last few minutes of the match and was able to take a one-point lead courtesy of two behinds. Locking down the game inside their forward half Eduard Van Den Berg was able to kick the sealing goal in the 28th minute and secure the eighth victory of the season for the Woods.