Hills Football League Division 2 - Round 18

Kersbrook have finished the minor round undefeated after a 127-point victory at home over bottom side Torrens Valley. The Brookers went 16-0 in the minor round with an average winning margin of 86 points. They now have a week off before playing for a grand final spot in the second semi final to be played at Kangarilla on Saturday 31 August. Their opponent will be either Gumeracha or Ironbank Cherry Gardens. Torrens Valley endured another winless season after dropping from division one at the end of 2017. After a scrappy first term where Kersbrook kicked 2.8 to 0.0, the Brookers got going in the second quarter to kick eight goals to three and extend their lead out to 54 points at half-time. A further 12 goals to one in the second half saw the final score blow out to 22.21 (153) to 4.2 (26). Charlie Graeber kicked six goals for the Brookers to take his season tally to 48 and with that Graeber clinched the leading goalkicker award. Graeber was one of 10 different goalkickers for Kersbrook while Dylan Rowe and Mark Mueller kicked two goals each for the Lions. Lachlan Peter, Josh Laube and Graeber were named best for the minor premier while Robbie Young, Shaun Higgins and BaileyCaire were best for Torrens Valley.

Gumeracha have clinched the all important double chance with an 89-point win at home against Kangarilla. The Magpies won every quarter in the 19.12 (126) to 5.7 (37) victory. It’s been an excellent turnaround from Gumeracha after they won eight games last season and finished sixth. Matthew Armstrong kicked six goals for the Magpies and he was ably supported by young Jeremy Hackett who kicked three goals. Hackett has kicked 14 goals in ‘A’ grade competition this year and a whopping 98 goals in the senior colts! Tom Evans was the only multiple goalkicker for the Double Blues with two majors. 

Birdwood have finished their season on a high with a 27-point away win at Meadows. The Roosters jumped out the blocks and could have put the game away in the first term but for inaccurate kicking which saw them lead 3.8 (26) to 0.0 (0) at the first break. Meadows managed four goals in the second quarter but still trailed by 30 points at the long break. An even second half ensued with Birdwood running out winners 12.15 (87) to 9.6 (60). Jed Russell kicked three goals for the Roosters while Meadows had all individual goalkickers. Birdwood were best served by James Neale, Jarred Jones and Brandon Ashby while Luke Smart, Ben Cracknell and former Mt Lofty player Josh Tink were named in the best for the Bulldogs.

Reigning premier Ironbank Cherry Gardens put paid to Bridgewater-Callington’s chances at a top three finish with a powerful 43-point win at Callington. It was a tight first half with the Thunderers leading by just nine points at half-time. 10 goals to four in the second half from Ironbank Cherry Gardens put paid to the Raiders as the score finished at 17.13 (115) to 10.12 (72). Jeremy Johncock led the way up forward for the Thunderers with four goals and he was ably supported by Ari Diamandopoulous who kicked three. Stephen Branson, Jackson Hooper, Nathan Rowlands and Sam Foutoulis kicked two goals each for the Raiders. Joel Van Paridon, Todd Pfeiffer and Elijah Ware were best for the reigning premier while Hooper, Steven Smith and Rowlands were named best for Bridgewater-Callington.

Macclesfield had the bye.

Final Ladder for 2019

Kersbrook 32 points (undefeated), Ironbank Cherry Gardens 28, Gumeracha 22, Bridgewater-Callington 20, Macclesfield 16, Birdwood 12, Kangarilla 10, Meadows 4, Torrens Valley 0.