FOOTBALL Hoodoo put to the axe Blackwood ended an eight-year drought of haul for the match just 50 seconds into the opening term, success at Heathfield Oval last Saturday as a Blackwood were never headed, although the Devils battled determinedly on many occasions, but found their own powerful last quarter surge finally shrugged off wayward disposals and a rebounding Blackwood defence the challenge of a hosting Mt Lofty opposition. hard to counter. The Woods rattled on seven goals to eventually run out The experience of Paul Magarey and Luke Harrip provided 15-7 to 8-15 victors, nailing their first win in Hills Football timely leadership within the Woods back half, and Troy League Central Division A-grade competition against the Edwards produced another influential effort in midfield, Mountain Devils at home since Round 3, 2005. while Catford, Brad Jones and Andrew Edwards were The result brought a sense of satisfaction for Blackwood others to contribute consistently to Blackwood’s cause. coach Dave Benson who enjoyed his first success as an During its third-term bid to wrest the lead, Mt Lofty became A-grade mentor since assuming the main role at Windy Hill a little one-dimensional heading into attack, allowing the this season. game to become bogged down on the eastern flank, when “I guess it is a bit of a relief to get over the line, and a perhaps a few switches of play may well have broken up reward for the effort of the players,” Benson reflected post- Blackwood’s well regimented outer line of defence. match. After goals to Dundovic and Nick Work outpointed Mt “We probably were a bit disappointed with our result in the Lofty’s solitary major from Alex Weeks in the first term, the opening round, so to grab the win here at Heathfield where second quarter proved to be the most evenly contested we haven’t won for so long was good. stanza on the scoreboard, as both teams notched three “The challenge was set with the game in the balance at goals apiece. three-quarter time, and the players responded superbly to Devils skipper Stapleton took to his role as a forward with get the desired result.” much relish, providing a strong attack to hold the ball in the The fast paced and hard tackling contest had provided a region, while ultimately kicking four goals for the afternoon. keen tussle over the opening three terms, as Blackwood Despite receiving some close physical attention, Sam made the most of its opportunities to hold an 8-4 to 5-11 Miles was once again able to win a reasonable share of advantage at the final change. the football, and his long running goal pushed the Devils to An early goal to skipper Glenn Dundovic gave Blackwood within reach of Blackwood on half-time. extra breathing space in term four before Mt Lofty raised Some stern words of wisdom from Benson during the its bid with majors to Michael Aloisi and captain Matt main break spurred the Woodsmen towards increasing Stapleton. their authority, kicking three goals for the third term, while However, the Woods then struck a purple patch as further Mt Lofty’s wayward finishing only hindered opportunities to goals to Sam and Max Cheek, busy James Catford, John bridge the gap. Jericho and Dundovic were included in a decisive late Both sides ran out the contest well, despite the warm surge, while a final goal to Hunter Bennett of Mt Lofty left conditions, but Blackwood’s overall efficiency proved the Blackwood to celebrate a 34-point triumph at the final siren. most significant factor in its first win of the 2013 campaign. The performances of Josh Bonython-Wright – who Poor return provided a great contest in ruck against Blackwood Having worked into a challenging position over the monolith Lucas Herbert – and Mitch Long, who played opening hour, Mt Lofty may well rue a poor return during one of his best games for the Devils since arriving from the second half, kicking 4-9 against Blackwood’s 10-3 ... Bridgewater, gave some optimism for a Mt Lofty side which an equal number of scoring shots, but the accuracy levels must improve its conversion rate to seriously challenge for being very contrasting. a maiden win at Mt Torrens Oval against the Valley Lions Trailing by just four points at half-time, the Devils this Saturday. Mt Lofty captain Matt Stapleton (centre) attempts to crash past Blackwood inaccuracy was particularly damaging in the third quarter, Meanwhile Blackwood will attempt to add further credence defensive duo Andrew Work (left) and Paul Magarey in a passage of play adding a wasteful 1-5, while Blackwood firmed its grip on towards its aspirations to return as a heavyweight in the in Saturday’s Hills Football League Central Division A-grade fixture at the game with three straight goals for the stanza Central competition when it hosts an improving Bridgewater Heathfield’s Stratco Stadium. From the moment Dundovic booted the first of his five-goal combination during Round 3. Roosters prevail first up Strathalbyn rocketed home to 39-point victory on Saturday to successfully launch its 2013 GREAGREATT SOUTHERN Great Southern Football League A-grade F O O T B A L L L E A G U E campaign, while Langhorne Creek were gallant during a Round 1 defeat to Willunga. After losing eight consecutive matches in a row to begin Josh last season, the Roosters flew home in a hard-fought 15- 11 to 9-8 victory over the Bulldogs at Mt Compass. Marton The Strathalbyn side started with intent, racing to a wasteful 23-point first quarter lead after kicking 4-5 to just one Mt Compass goal. Undersized Strathalbyn ruckmen Michael Cutting and Cameron Sandercock stemmed the flow of the Bulldogs experienced Demons trio Brad Haskett, Ben Baxter former NBL recruit Peter Hoban, helping onballers Simon and 2012 Mail Medalist Mitch Portlock dominated the Munn and Mark Tucker assume a major influence on the clearances for Willunga to record a comfortable victory. match. The Hawks will be searching to bounce back in their Despite their dominance, a hamstring injury to star Round 2 match as they come up against Mt Compass at miner Daniel Pegler stalled the Roosters momentum ... Langhorne Creek. allowing the Bulldogs to move within 10 points at the Both sides will be searching for first blood in what major interval. promises to be a test of the Bulldogs improvement and Ben Mundy (three goals) was the danger man in attack, the new-look Hawks development. stepping in for ‘Compass key forwards Joseph Parsons Rob Uebergang will return for the ‘Creeks to assist (one) and Tom Pinyon (two) who were comprehensively Rowe in the ruck, although North Adelaide recruit Matt eclipsed by respective opponents Wade Thorpe and Ben Denieuwe’s debut will be stalled after breaking his arm in Simounds. the Reserves last Saturday. Round 1 adrenaline appeared to kick in during the third Returning club stalwart Greg Norman and Tom Hately term as the game was decided by the contested ball, led will need to excel in defence against Pinyon and Parsons by Bulldogs hard nut Tom Corbett. who are a vocal point for the ‘Dogs, however, dual Ben Cousins (three goals) displayed his composure in premiership midfielders McGregor and Jarrod Kellock front of goals to keep the Roosters in front at the last loom as match winners for the Hawks. change, crumbing to forward trio Russell Tucker (three), Strathalbyn’s strong pre-season progress will again be Ashley Weckert (two) and Ben Dray (two), who proved tested in Round 2 at home against 2012 finalist McLaren. too potent for the home side as the game progressed. Last Saturday’s 96-point defeat will be prevalent in the The visitors rammed home six unanswered goals to finish Eagles players’ minds as the Roosters attempt to win the match as the Bulldogs ran out of legs, exemplified in their second match of the season ... something which the dying minutes when R. Tucker was picked out on his only became reality in Round 9 of 2012. own inside 50m to seal the match for Strathalbyn. Victor’s opening round performance will be truly Encounter Bay won by a similar margin in its night match evaluated against Willunga at Victor Harbor, while against Goolwa/Port Elliot at the Encounter Bay Oval, Yankalilla will face the visiting Bays, and Myponga/ with Scott Welsh contributing six majors in the 19-11 to Sellicks will host Encounter Bay at Myponga. Blackwood defender Paul Magarey prepares to get a handball away at 13-7 triumph. ground level as he comes under pressure from Mt Lofty’s Sam Miles (7) McLaren weren’t as fortunate – receiving a 26-16 to during Saturday’s clash at Heathfield. Blackwood broke a long standing 10-10 thumping from Victor Harbor at McLaren Vale, orchestrated by new Roos recruits Sam Harvey, Dylan drought of success at the ground with a 34-point triumph. Williams and Zac Ewer who combined for 11 goals. Hawks late fade Reigning premier Langhorne Creek continued last Trainer seminars season’s late form before being over-run 26-16 to 16-8 Hills Football League trainers have to all four courses the HTA have convened against the Demons at Willunga Oval. benefited from recent seminars on this year. The visiting Hawks held a 13-point lead at three-quarter “In fact, the senior first aid course and time in the fluctuating affair, although it wasn’t enough as procedures. CPR/Asthma refresher had so many the Demons registered 13 scoring shots to three in the Organised by the Hills Trainers Association, enrolments that it had to be split, which is final stanza. club representative trainers have attended certainly encouraging.” The ‘Creeks were unlucky to be trailing at the first break sessions in Mt Barker to either learn or The first session on Sunday, April 7, after Willunga booted the closing three goals of the term, upgrade skills directed toward the welfare featured a total of 21 people attending reducing a nine-point margin to just two at half-time. of injured players. a basic awareness workshop run by the Brock Rothe locked down on Willunga wingman Scott HTA committee, involving basic first aid, Brown who turned the match around in the first quarter, With all clubs advised in February about the courses, HTA secretary Ruth Work strapping and stretcher practice. while fellow former Echunga player Tom Rowe was Last Friday night 14 participants attended winning the ruck duels. from Blackwood Football Club has been impressed by the improved interest and the CPR/Refresher course run by Sue Hawks dynamo Lachy McGregor displayed his class Stevens from First in Sport First Aid, attendances. late in the second term to officially swing the momentum while 17 trainers plus two CPR refresher towards the reigning GSFL premier, weaving through “Last season we had such a poor nominees took part in a second session multiple opponents to find Tom Derham who snared one response that a scheduled CPR refresher held on Sunday at HFL headquarters in Mt of six goals for the afternoon. Strathalbyn’s Mark Tucker (right) prepares was cancelled and the senior first aid Barker. Derham and new forward recruit Tynan Keeley carried to drive the Roosters forward as team-mate course just had the minimum numbers to A Level 1 trainers course will be conducted the momentum into the third stanza – continuing to lead Michael Cutting (40) watches on during justify running it,” Work reflected. on April 28 and May 5, with 18 people and present for the Hawks – having had a hand in their Saturday’s Great Southern Football League “As the awareness of the importance of having already enrolled. side’s lead before fatigue set in during final quarter. having a good training staff becomes more Further registratation spots are still open, Rowe’s influence was restricted late due to shouldering victory over a hosting Mt Compass opposition. Image courtesy Andrew Batten. prevalent, this year I am pleased to say that with information available from the HFL the ruck responsibilities for most of the match, while there has been an overwhelming response office or Sports Medicine Australia.