Hills Football League SA round one match reports: Lobethal upsets rival Onkaparinga Valley
A pair of Sturt premiership winners booted five goals each in the Hills Football League’s match of the week, as the 2020 season finally got underway. Check out the reports from the opening round.
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Lobethal coach Matt Fuller says he will need to temper his side’s enthusiasm after his its confidence-boosting win over rival and 2019 grand finalist Onkaparinga Valley on Saturday.
In the match of the week in the opening round of the Hills Football League season, the Tigers flew out of the blocks with an eight-goal first term to set up a 13-point win at home.
The club’s off-season investment paid off with former Sturt onballer Aidan Riley kicking five goals, while fellow ex-SANFL recruits Jack Osborn (four majors), Alex Georgiou and Harry Viney also starred.
Playing coach Fuller said his side was brimming with belief after the 15.11 (101) to 13.10 (88) victory.
Lobethal managed just two wins last season and finished eighth on the ladder, only avoiding the wooden spoon due to percentage.
“Obviously the boys are going to take a fair bit of confidence out of actually winning the first game, especially against a very good team,” Fuller said.
“It’s not a spot they are too familiar with being in after the past two years.
“It’s nice, but at the same time you can see them buzzing that much you need to say ‘keep a lid on it’.
“A win on the board this year is basically worth two and early on they’re even more valuable.”
Lobethal shot out to a 33-point lead at quarter time before Onkaparinga was able to slowly peg the Tigers back.
The Dogs’ star signing John Greenslade (five goals) and ruckman Daniel Schoell did their best but could not close the deficit completely.
Onkas coach Paul Tanner said it was a disappointing loss to start the campaign on the back of a promising 2019 season.
“We just made too many errors, their pressure was quite good and it was tough for our short backline against their tall forwards,” Tanner said.
“I said to my guys I can’t wear that and we’re very disappointed from where we were last year … and with an eight-game season you just can’t afford early losses.”
In other results, a Kyle Cheney-inspired Hahndorf cruised past Mount Barker in a comfortable 45-point victory for the reigning premiers.
The Magpies put on 8.10 to 1.3 in the first half and did not look troubled, despite the Roos kicking eight goals to seven after the main break.
Cheney was best on ground for Hahndorf and Cooper Nykamp impressed with five goals, while Dale Payne battled hard for Mount Barker.
At Blackwood Oval, Woods recruit Joel Aish, who crossed from Echunga during the off-season, bagged nine goals in a 17.11 (113) to 7.6 (48) drubbing of Mount Lofty.
Uraidla was far too strong for Echunga in their clash, triumphing by 69 points.
SCOREBOARD
DIVISION ONE
■ Lobethal 15.11 (101) d Onkaparinga Valley 13.10 (88) at Lobethal Oval
■ Uraidla Districts 16.12 (108) d Echunga 5.9 (39) at Echunga Oval
■ Hahndorf 15.17 (107) d Mount Barker 9.8 (62) at Hahndorf Oval
■ Blackwood 17.11 (113) d Mount Lofty 7.6 (48) at Blackwood Oval
DIVISION TWO
■ Ironbank Cherry Gardens 10.17 (77) d Birdwood 6.10 (46) at Birdwood Oval
■ Kangarilla 16.11 (107) d Bridgewater Callington 11.7 (73) at Kangarilla Oval
■ Meadows 10.10 (70) d Macclesfield 8.12 (60) at Macclesfield Oval
■ Gumeracha 13.11 (89) d Kersbrook 9.6 (60) at Gumeracha Oval