Blackwood finally finds its mojo, but heat is on for Woods to earn a Hills Footy League finals berth
Blackwood is fighting for a spot in the Hills Football League top five. This weekend’s final minor round is likely to decide the Woods’ fate but it was helped by a big win on Saturday. Check out all the action from round eight in our match wraps.
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Blackwood enters this weekend’s last Hill Football League minor round in control of its destiny — a victory against Mount Barker will secure it an elimination final berth.
The Woods took a vital step towards joining the hunt for the flag with a crunching win against Echunga 20.12 (132) to 4.4 (22) at home on Saturday.
The hosts attacked strongly from the opening term, piling on 6.0 to 0.3, before taking a 62 point lead into the main break.
Blackwood capped its good work by keeping Echunga scoreless in the last quarter while adding 6.5.
Coach Ryan Anderson said the game was a big improvement on recent matches.
“We’ve had some rough weeks before Saturday’s game,’’ Anderson said.
“But we were much better on Saturday.
“We know we can do it if we play our best.
“It comes down to this Saturday but we will just be focusing on what we do and not dwell much on other things, that’s all we can do.”
Liam McCarthy (two goals), Ben Macreadie (five majors) and Phil Hopton (three goals) led a long list of key players.
Joel Aish also starred up forward with six majors.
Liam Place, Fergus Newman-Milne and Jesse Edwards worked hard for the Demons.
It was very much a slog-fest between last season’s grand finalists when unbeaten Hahndorf had too much firepower for Onkaparinga Valley to prevail 5.15 (45) to 2.6 (18) at home.
Neither side kicked more than two goals in any quarter.
Former Crows player Matt Jaensch showed his class in the conditions to be best for the Magpies, while Joel Leake and Dylan Matsen had solid games.
Damian Green, Daniel Schoell and Tim Webber battled hard for the Bulldogs.
With one round remaining, second-ranked Lobethal is home to Nairne, while Mt Lofty (sixth) must beat third-placed Onkaparinga Valley to have any chance of playing finals.
Mt Barker and Blackwood should produce an absorbing game at Mt Barker.
The Barkeroos will make the finals, regardless of the result.
A win to Blackwood would secure its place, although a loss could lead to the club still qualifying, depending on other results.
Bottom team Echunga faces a herculean effort to stop unbeaten Hahndorf at Echunga.
SCOREBOARD
DIVISION ONE
■ Mt Lofty 9.4 (58) d Uraidla 4.13 937 at Mt Lofty
■ Mt Barker 6.3 (39) d Nairne 3.11 (29) at Mt Barker
■ Hahndorf 5.15 (45) d Onkaparinga Valley 2.6 (18) at Hahndorf
■ Blackwood 20.12 (132) d Echunga 3.4 (22) at Blackwood
■ Lobethal – bye
DIVISION TWO
■ Kersbrook 19.16 (130) d Torrens Valley 3.2 (20) at Kersbrook
■ Kangarilla 14.13 (97) d Macclesfield 4.6 (30) at Kangarilla
■ Birdwood 8.10 (58) d Bridgewater Callington Raiders 6.5 (41) at Birdwood
■ Gumeracha 8.6 (54) d Meadows 7.10 (52) at Gumeracha
■ Ironbank Cherry Gardens — bye
THIS WEEK
Saturday, August 29
■ Lobethal v Nairne
■ Mt Lofty v Onkaparinga Valley
■ Echunga v Hahndorf
■ Mt Barker v Blackwood
■ Uraidla — bye