SANFLW: Glenelg pinch victory with last minute goal

A last-minute goal from Glenelg’s Eloise Mackereth helped the Tigers pull off an epic four-point win over Norwood at Stratarama Stadium on Saturday afternoon. 

The Redlegs trailed all afternoon, but hit the lead for the first time when co-captain Stephanie Simmonds nailed a set shot from close range with just three minutes to go.

Simmonds’ goal was Norwood’s fourth consecutive goal, having trailed by 24 points late in the third term.

While Norwood made a thrilling run late in the match, it will be ruing another slow start which as become a pattern in season 2024.

On this occasion it was Glenelg which booted four first quarter goals to one to set up an imposing 18-point quarter time lead.

As the Redlegs have been able to do on most occasions this season, they worked their way into the match, slowly chipping away at the lead.

At half time the margin was reduced to 10 points.

It again looked like the game was slipping away from Norwood during the third quarter, when the Tigers put the margin out to a match-high 24 points.

Norwood refused to lie down, and four straight goals followed through Amelia Rusden, Sarah Branford, Kiana Lee and the Simmonds goal that put the Redlegs in front, drawing a high-free kick and 25m penalty inside 50m.

From the clearance Norwood drew a free kick and slowed the game down, but Glenelg repelled from half back and desperately pushed the ball forward and finding a mark 30m out through Mackereth. Mackereth nailed the game winner to ensure her Tigers remained on top of the ladder after six matches.

The Redlegs sit fourth on the table with a 3-3 win-loss record, and take on the sixth placed West Adelaide (also 3-3) this Saturday at Coopers Stadium.

Against Glenelg, Simmonds led the way with 18 disposals, six clearances, six tackles and that decisive goal, while Jade Halfpenny had 17 disposals, 18 hitouts and four tackles.

Norwood 1.2, 2.4, 4.4, 7.6 – 48

Glenelg 4.2, 4.2, 7.4, 8.4 – 52

Goals: Lee 2, Branford, Davies, Rusden, Schwerdt, Simmonds

Best: Simmonds, Halfpenny, Davies, Nenke, Lee

Norwood’s SANFLW Development League side went down to Glenelg by 20 points at Stratarama Stadium on Saturday.

It was a tough battle for the first three quarters, before the Tigers kicked away in the fourth term to complete a 4.4-28 to 1.2-8 victory.

Alice Winter kicked Norwood’s goal in the third term, while Lottie Almond was named best on ground.

Norwood sit third on the Development League ladder with a 4-2 win-loss record, with one match of the regular season to go this Saturday against the fifth placed West Adelaide.

The Development League Grand Final will be played on April 26, with the top two placed teams will face off.

Glenelg and South Adelaide currently occupy the top two spots (both 5-1), and take on the seventh placed Eagles and fourth placed Bulldogs respectively.

Norwood 0.0, 0.1, 1.1, 1.2 – 8

Glenelg 0.1, 1.1, 2.1, 4.4 – 28

Goals: Winter

Best: Almond, Jaffer, Arkun, Winter, Dunlop