Boyhood dream becomes grand final nightmare for Hahndorf as kick after the siren misses the mark against underdog Blackwood
BLACKWOOD has ended a 26-year premiership drought, but had to endure an agonising wait when the Hills Football League’s premiership decider against Hahndorf went down to the last kick.
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IT IS every young footballer’s dream to kick a goal after the siren to win a grand final.
But when it comes to reality, that pressure situation does not always result in a fairytale finish — as Hahndorf player David Hankin only knows too well.
Hankin had the chance to win the Hills Football League grand final for Hahndorf against Blackwood at Lobethal on Saturday with a shot after the siren and the Magpies trailing by five points.
Unfortunately for him and Hahndorf, his kick — from about 40m on a tricky angle — sailed through for a behind, much to the delight of the Blackwood fans who had crowded the boundary line to put Hankin off and stormed the oval as soon as he missed.
The heartbreak and ecstasy was captured on video by Andrew Lawless.
The miss ensured Blackwood prevailed 8.6 (54) to 6.14 (50), ending a 26-year premiership drought and avenging the club’s one-point grand final loss to Uraidla in 2011.
“I’m tickety boo, I’m very, very excited,” Woods president Jason Burns said.
“We thought it was going to be deja vu (when Hankin lined up for goal).
“(To win) was such a valiant effort.
“We were the underdogs by so much it wasn’t funny.
“It was unbelievable, mate, the buzz around the ground, the huge support we had from the local community.
“We just love that we can share this with the older supporter base who have been so patient.
“A lot of old supporters had tears in their eyes, grown men, we have the monkey off our back.”
Burns singled out former West Adelaide Scott Bricknell, usually a free flowing half-back flanker, who put the clamps on league leading goalkicker Darcy Hourigan, restricting him to two majors.
“We were well led by our captain Kurt Thompson, and Ryan Anderson and James Catford were great,” Burns said.
“Our under-17s, who haven’t beat Hahndorf all year, came from behind from seven goals to two, to win by nine points.
“It just shows our club is set up for the future.”
The win was a repeat of Blackwood’s 1991 premiership when it beat Hahndorf at Lobethal.
“We want to acknowledge the sponsors and support base, we’ve suffered for a long time,” Burns said.
“It’s a proud day for the whole community.”
For Blackwood ruckman Lucas Herbert, it was his first taste of premiership glory in 25 years of senior football.
Herbert, 40, who played his first senior game with North Gambier in 1993, had to wait until his final match to get a premiership medallion.
The former North Adelaide and Crows-listed ruckman said he was stunned by the Woods’ four-point Hills Football League grand final victory over highly-fancied Hahndorf at Lobethal on Saturday.
“It was more relief than excitement,” Herbert said.
“The only other grand final I played in was when we lost to Uraidla in 2011 (with Blackwood). “Twenty-five years chasing one premiership. If anybody says it’s too hard, or I couldn’t be bothered, dreams do come true.
“I’ve had four knee reconstructions, 10 other operations.
“I turned 40 two weeks ago, I didn’t think I’d still be playing in a grand final, let alone winning one.”
Herbert had to take over the ruck duties from Steve Woods in the crucial final quarter.
“He (Woods) thought he’d discloated his finger,” Herbert said.
“But I could see the bone hanging out.”
Herbert said it was the perfect time to hang up the boots.
“I’m done, mate, my body has given all it can give,” he said.