Hills Football League (Division 2) - Round 16

Macclesfield have sewn up a finals berth with a come from behind 28-point win over Birdwood at Macclesfield Oval. The home side trailed by 20 points at half-time before unleashing a withering burst in the third term. The Bloods kicked 8.1 to the Roosters 2.2 to take a handy 15-point lead into the last quarter before pulling away to win 14.11 (95) to 10.7 (67). The loss put paid to Birdwood’s slim finals chances. Daniel Noble was dominant up forward for the victors with six goals and he was ably supported by Reece Jolly with three majors. Adam Bound and Jake Maczkowiack were Birdwood’s only multiple goalkickers with two each. Kowen Buchecker was adjudged best afield for the Bloods with Noble and Jolly also in the best players. For Birdwood, Joshua Coleman, Brandon Ashby and Jarred Jones were amongst the best.

Ironbank Cherry Gardens won their seventh consecutive game with a convincing 84-point victory over Meadows at Meadows Oval. The Thunderers led at every change by 13 points, 37 points and 78 points before running out winners 21.21 (147) to 9.9 (63). Jeremy Johncock was a star up forward for Ironbank with eight goals while Levi Grigg, Adam Shearwood and Ari Diamandopoulos each kicked three. For Meadows, Jarad Mellor and Brodie Henderson kicked two goals. Best players for Ironbank were Will Muirden, Johncock & Daniel Philp. Luke Smart, Braeden Bezzina and Mellor tried hard for the vanquished Bulldogs.

Kersbrook continued their undefeated season with a comfortable 55-point victory over Bridgewater-Callington at Kersbrook. The final score was 16.12 (108) to 7.11 (53). The Brookers killed off any chance the Raiders had of causing an upset with a seven goal to one second quarter giving them an unassailable 56-point lead at half-time. That lead was extended out to 73 points by the final change. The Raiders put a bit of respectability back into the scoreline by kicking five goals in the final term after only managing two in the first three quarters of the game. Josh Laube led the way up forward for Kersbrook with four goals while big ruckman Rob Nicholson was best on ground. Bridgewater-Callington had all single goalkickers with Jackson Hooper best for the visitors.

Gumeracha have kept their top three chances well and truly alive with a crushing win over neighbouring Torrens Valley at Gumeracha. Torrens Valley were kept goalless in the first half and trailed by 56 points at the long break. The visitors were outgunned but managed their only two goals of the game in the third stanza which only served to kick Gumeracha back into gear as they piled on 10 unanswered goals in the final quarter to run away with a 135-point victory, 22.20 (152) to 2.5 (17). The Magpies had 12 different goalkickers with Matthew Armstrong leading the way with four majors. Best players for the finals bound Maggies were Jack Parker, Nathan Warren and Matthew Redden. Brandon Bormann, Bailey Caire and Joshua Harris battled hard for the winless Lions.