League Trial 2 – Norwood V Sturt

An youthful Norwood side played Sturt in a SANFL League Trial Match at Richmond Oval on Saturday afternoon, with the Double Blues taking out a 35-point win.

Just six 2022 Premiership players (Matthew Nunn, Baynen Lowe, Thomas Donnelly, Ben Jarvis, Nick Lowden and Luke Surman) took to the field, as the Redlegs blooded young and new talent.

Off-season recruit Matthew Ling looked dangerous on the wing, Luke Surman was a threat in the air, and Jarvis spent some time at Full Forward alongside Tristan Binder.

U18 talent Logan Evans played, as did off-season recruits Oliver Sanders, Goy Lok, Michael Stingel and Alec Wright.

After a scrappy start from both sides, Norwood booted the first two goals of the game through Lachie Pascoe and Surman set shot goals.

The game started to open up half way through the first term and Sturt found back to back goals to take a 2.2-14 to 2.0-12 lead.

Norwood looked strong through the middle of the ground, but couldn’t find a mark inside 50m.

After a physical first term Sturt held a two point lead, 2.3-15 to 2.1-13.

Sturt started to get on top after quarter time, but Norwood did well to ensure the game didn’t open up in the Double Blues favour, making it a tough, contested battle.

The ball was stuck on the eastern wing, and Norwood struggled to move the play forward into scoring positions.

Oliver Grivell kicked back to back goals for the Double Blues to give his side a 4.5-29 to 2.2-14 lead at the halfway point of the second term.

Norwood looked most dangerous when transitioning the ball quickly from defence into its inside 50m zone, creating two scoring opportunities (for two behinds).

Lowden’s goal at the 22-minute mark was a highlight for Norwood during the second term, but Sturt went into half time leading by 14 points (5.5-35 to 3.3-21)

Sturt’s speed started to expose the young Redlegs in the third term, kicking three quick goals to open up a 32-point lead.

Binder, Jarvis and Xavier Tranfa booted second-half goals, but Sturt was too strong across the board and ran out 11.10-76 to 6.5-41 winners.

Norwood was without players such as Matthew Panos, Patrick Walker, Pierce Seymour, Jackson Callow, Sam Morris, Nik Rokahr, Declan Hamilton, Jack Saunders, Josh Richards, Jacob Kennerley, Brodie Carroll, Cam Ball, Connor McLean, Harry Boyd and Jack Heard.

Norwood – 2.1, 3.3, 5.5, 6.5-41

Sturt – 2.3, 5.5, 9.7, 11.10-76

Goals: Pascoe, Surman, Lowden, Jarvis, Binder, Tranfa