FOOTBALL

GREAT SOUTHERNGREAT SOUTHERNF O O T B A L L L E A G U E

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Strathalbyn rocketed home to 39-point victory on Saturday to successfully launch its 2013 Great Southern Football League A-grade campaign, while Langhorne Creek were gallant during a Round 1 defeat to Willunga. After losing eight consecutive matches in a row to begin

last season, the Roosters flew home in a hard-fought 15-11 to 9-8 victory over the Bulldogs at Mt Compass. 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 former NBL recruit Peter Hoban, helping onballers Simon Munn and Mark Tucker assume a major influence on the match.Despite their dominance, a hamstring injury to star

miner Daniel Pegler stalled the Roosters momentum ... allowing the Bulldogs to move within 10 points at the major interval. Ben Mundy (three goals) was the danger man in attack,

stepping in for ‘Compass key forwards Joseph Parsons (one) and Tom Pinyon (two) who were comprehensively eclipsed by respective opponents Wade Thorpe and Ben Simounds.Round 1 adrenaline appeared to kick in during the third

term as the game was decided by the contested ball, led by Bulldogs hard nut Tom Corbett. Ben Cousins (three goals) displayed his composure in

front of goals to keep the Roosters in front at the last change, crumbing to forward trio Russell Tucker (three), Ashley Weckert (two) and Ben Dray (two), who proved too potent for the home side as the game progressed. The visitors rammed home six unanswered goals to finish

the match as the Bulldogs ran out of legs, exemplified in the dying minutes when R. Tucker was picked out on his own inside 50m to seal the match for Strathalbyn.Encounter Bay won by a similar margin in its night match

against Goolwa/Port Elliot at the Encounter Bay Oval, with Scott Welsh contributing six majors in the 19-11 to 13-7 triumph. McLaren weren’t as fortunate – receiving a 26-16 to

10-10 thumping from Victor Harbor at McLaren Vale, orchestrated by new Roos recruits Sam Harvey, Dylan Williams and Zac Ewer who combined for 11 goals.

Hawks late fadeReigning premier Langhorne Creek continued last

season’s late form before being over-run 26-16 to 16-8 against the Demons at Willunga Oval. The visiting Hawks held a 13-point lead at three-quarter

time in the fluctuating affair, although it wasn’t enough as the Demons registered 13 scoring shots to three in the final stanza. The ‘Creeks were unlucky to be trailing at the first break

after Willunga booted the closing three goals of the term, reducing a nine-point margin to just two at half-time. Brock Rothe locked down on Willunga wingman Scott

Brown who turned the match around in the first quarter, while fellow former Echunga player Tom Rowe was winning the ruck duels. Hawks dynamo Lachy McGregor displayed his class

late in the second term to officially swing the momentum towards the reigning GSFL premier, weaving through multiple opponents to find Tom Derham who snared one of six goals for the afternoon. Derham and new forward recruit Tynan Keeley carried

the momentum into the third stanza – continuing to lead and present for the Hawks – having had a hand in their side’s lead before fatigue set in during final quarter. Rowe’s influence was restricted late due to shouldering

the ruck responsibilities for most of the match, while

Roosters prevail first up

Blackwood ended an eight-year drought of success at Heathfield Oval last Saturday as a powerful last quarter surge finally shrugged off the challenge of a hosting Mt Lofty opposition.The Woods rattled on seven goals to eventually run out

15-7 to 8-15 victors, nailing their first win in Hills Football League Central Division A-grade competition against the Mountain Devils at home since Round 3, 2005.The result brought a sense of satisfaction for Blackwood

coach Dave Benson who enjoyed his first success as an A-grade mentor since assuming the main role at Windy Hill this season.“I guess it is a bit of a relief to get over the line, and a

reward for the effort of the players,” Benson reflected post-match.“We probably were a bit disappointed with our result in the

opening round, so to grab the win here at Heathfield where we haven’t won for so long was good.“The challenge was set with the game in the balance at

three-quarter time, and the players responded superbly to get the desired result.”The fast paced and hard tackling contest had provided a

keen tussle over the opening three terms, as Blackwood made the most of its opportunities to hold an 8-4 to 5-11 advantage at the final change.An early goal to skipper Glenn Dundovic gave Blackwood

extra breathing space in term four before Mt Lofty raised its bid with majors to Michael Aloisi and captain Matt Stapleton.However, the Woods then struck a purple patch as further

goals to Sam and Max Cheek, busy James Catford, John Jericho and Dundovic were included in a decisive late surge, while a final goal to Hunter Bennett of Mt Lofty left Blackwood to celebrate a 34-point triumph at the final siren.

Poor returnHaving worked into a challenging position over the

opening hour, Mt Lofty may well rue a poor return during the second half, kicking 4-9 against Blackwood’s 10-3 ... an equal number of scoring shots, but the accuracy levels being very contrasting.Trailing by just four points at half-time, the Devils

inaccuracy was particularly damaging in the third quarter, adding a wasteful 1-5, while Blackwood firmed its grip on the game with three straight goals for the stanzaFrom the moment Dundovic booted the first of his five-goal

haul for the match just 50 seconds into the opening term, Blackwood were never headed, although the Devils battled determinedly on many occasions, but found their own wayward disposals and a rebounding Blackwood defence hard to counter.The experience of Paul Magarey and Luke Harrip provided

timely leadership within the Woods back half, and Troy Edwards produced another influential effort in midfield, while Catford, Brad Jones and Andrew Edwards were others to contribute consistently to Blackwood’s cause.During its third-term bid to wrest the lead, Mt Lofty became

a little one-dimensional heading into attack, allowing the game to become bogged down on the eastern flank, when perhaps a few switches of play may well have broken up Blackwood’s well regimented outer line of defence.After goals to Dundovic and Nick Work outpointed Mt

Lofty’s solitary major from Alex Weeks in the first term, the second quarter proved to be the most evenly contested stanza on the scoreboard, as both teams notched three goals apiece.Devils skipper Stapleton took to his role as a forward with

much relish, providing a strong attack to hold the ball in the region, while ultimately kicking four goals for the afternoon.Despite receiving some close physical attention, Sam

Miles was once again able to win a reasonable share of the football, and his long running goal pushed the Devils to within reach of Blackwood on half-time.Some stern words of wisdom from Benson during the

main break spurred the Woodsmen towards increasing their authority, kicking three goals for the third term, while Mt Lofty’s wayward finishing only hindered opportunities to bridge the gap.Both sides ran out the contest well, despite the warm

conditions, but Blackwood’s overall efficiency proved the most significant factor in its first win of the 2013 campaign.The performances of Josh Bonython-Wright – who

provided a great contest in ruck against Blackwood monolith Lucas Herbert – and Mitch Long, who played one of his best games for the Devils since arriving from Bridgewater, gave some optimism for a Mt Lofty side which must improve its conversion rate to seriously challenge for a maiden win at Mt Torrens Oval against the Valley Lions this Saturday.Meanwhile Blackwood will attempt to add further credence

towards its aspirations to return as a heavyweight in the Central competition when it hosts an improving Bridgewater combination during Round 3.

experienced Demons trio Brad Haskett, Ben Baxter and 2012 Mail Medalist Mitch Portlock dominated the clearances for Willunga to record a comfortable victory. The Hawks will be searching to bounce back in their

Round 2 match as they come up against Mt Compass at Langhorne Creek. Both sides will be searching for first blood in what

promises to be a test of the Bulldogs improvement and the new-look Hawks development. Rob Uebergang will return for the ‘Creeks to assist

Rowe in the ruck, although North Adelaide recruit Matt Denieuwe’s debut will be stalled after breaking his arm in the Reserves last Saturday. Returning club stalwart Greg Norman and Tom Hately

will need to excel in defence against Pinyon and Parsons who are a vocal point for the ‘Dogs, however, dual premiership midfielders McGregor and Jarrod Kellock loom as match winners for the Hawks. Strathalbyn’s strong pre-season progress will again be

tested in Round 2 at home against 2012 finalist McLaren. Last Saturday’s 96-point defeat will be prevalent in the

Eagles players’ minds as the Roosters attempt to win their second match of the season ... something which only became reality in Round 9 of 2012. Victor’s opening round performance will be truly

evaluated against Willunga at Victor Harbor, while Yankalilla will face the visiting Bays, and Myponga/Sellicks will host Encounter Bay at Myponga.

Hoodoo put to the axe

Hills Football League trainers have benefited from recent seminars on procedures.Organised by the Hills Trainers Association,

club representative trainers have attended sessions in Mt Barker to either learn or upgrade skills directed toward the welfare of injured players.With all clubs advised in February about

the courses, HTA secretary Ruth Work from Blackwood Football Club has been impressed by the improved interest and attendances.“Last season we had such a poor

response that a scheduled CPR refresher was cancelled and the senior first aid course just had the minimum numbers to justify running it,” Work reflected.“As the awareness of the importance of

having a good training staff becomes more prevalent, this year I am pleased to say that there has been an overwhelming response

to all four courses the HTA have convened this year.“In fact, the senior first aid course and

CPR/Asthma refresher had so many enrolments that it had to be split, which is certainly encouraging.”The first session on Sunday, April 7,

featured a total of 21 people attending a basic awareness workshop run by the HTA committee, involving basic first aid, strapping and stretcher practice.Last Friday night 14 participants attended

the CPR/Refresher course run by Sue Stevens from First in Sport First Aid, while 17 trainers plus two CPR refresher nominees took part in a second session held on Sunday at HFL headquarters in Mt Barker.A Level 1 trainers course will be conducted

on April 28 and May 5, with 18 people having already enrolled.Further registratation spots are still open,

with information available from the HFL office or Sports Medicine Australia.

Trainer seminars

Blackwood defender Paul Magarey prepares to get a handball away at ground level as he comes under pressure from Mt Lofty’s Sam Miles (7)

during Saturday’s clash at Heathfield. Blackwood broke a long standing drought of success at the ground with a 34-point triumph.

Mt Lofty captain Matt Stapleton (centre) attempts to crash past Blackwood defensive duo Andrew Work (left) and Paul Magarey in a passage of play in Saturday’s Hills Football League Central Division A-grade fixture at

Heathfield’s Stratco Stadium.

Strathalbyn’s Mark Tucker (right) prepares to drive the Roosters forward as team-mate

Michael Cutting (40) watches on during Saturday’s Great Southern Football League

victory over a hosting Mt Compass opposition.Image courtesy Andrew Batten.