Reserves miss finals by 1.2%

Norwood’s Reserves season came to an end on Saturday with a 49-point loss to Central District in Elizabeth.

The Redlegs were fighting for a spot in the top five, but ran into a strong Bulldogs side who had already locked in a top three finish.

Norwood kicked the first goal of the contest through Macaulay Glover and held a slender three-point lead at quarter time, before the Bulldogs kicked three unanswered goals in the second term to take control of the game.

Both sides kicked three goals in the third term, and the home side led by 19 points at the final break, with Centrals’ poor kicking keeping Norwood in the contest (6.14-50 to 4.7-31).

The game was on the line when Redlegs forward Liam Robinson kicked the first goal of the final term to make it a 13-point margin.

From there Centrals powered home with the last six goals of the match to run out 12.14-86 to 5.7-37 winners.

Henry Nelligan continued his good run of form since rejoining the senior squad late in the season with a 26-disposal outing on Saturday, while Tom Graham had 21 disposals.

Goal kickers were Luke Bogle with two and singles to Robinson (who had 20 disposals, eight marks and five tackles), Glover and Connor Kent.

Glenelg, Sturt, Centrals, South Adelaide and Woodville-West Torrens make up the top five, with Norwood finishing sixth on percentage.

Both the Redlegs and Eagles finished with a 7-11 win-loss record, with Woodville-West Torrens having a 1.2% advantage to progress through.

Norwood 1.2, 1.5, 4.7, 5.7 – 37

Central District 0.5, 3.10, 6.14, 12.14 – 86

Goals: Bogle 2, Glover, Robinson, Kent

Best: Robinson, van Wyk, Nelligan, Graham, Bogle