SANFLW Match Report: Norwood let golden opportunity slip

Norwood had a golden chance to lock in its finals place at Coopers Stadium on Sunday, but Woodville-West Torrens spoilt the party in an outstanding come from behind win.  

A Norwood victory would have secured the Redlegs a place in the top four with two games to play, and half way through the final term they had both hands on the post-season berth.

It was a see-sawing day, with four lead changes throughout the afternoon, but when Adrienne Davies goaled at the six-minute mark of the final term the Redlegs led by a match-high eight points.

From there, Woodville-West Torrens responded and former Norwood forward Rosette Zerella and Klaudia O’Neill kicked two goals in two minutes for the visiting Eagles to give their side the ascendency.

Norwood wasn’t able to regain the lead, and the seventh placed Woodville-West Torrens caused a boilover victory, 4.6-30 to 4.1-25.

The Redlegs are still in the box seat to claim the all-important fourth place on the SANFLW ladder, but now have two very tough matches to come against the other finals aspirants Sturt and West Adelaide.

Lucky for Norwood, its biggest threat to dislodge them from the top four West Adelaide also lost its Round 12 match to Sturt. This Double Blues win gave them a chance for a late-season run for the top four.

Despite entering the match in seventh place, the Eagles looked desperate to find a fourth win of the SANFLW season.

The Redlegs kicked the first goal of the afternoon, a set shot through co-captain Stephanie Simmonds.

Norwood had the better of the first quarter, going +9 in disposals, +3 in clearances and +4 inside 50m entries, but trailed by one point on the scoreboard as O’Neill kicked the Eagles first goal after the siren.

Norwood had shared the load in the first term with Emma Clark, Adrienne Davies, Charlotte Nenke, Amelia Rusden, Simmonds and Mykaela Walker each had four disposals.

The Eagles extended their lead to seven points after quarter time, when Zerella booted the visitors second goal.

Winger Kiana Lee again snuck forward to kick her 13^th goal of the 2024 season, and most importantly level the scores at the 10-minute mark.

At half time it was 2.1-13 apiece.

Norwood was +10 in disposals, +11 in marks and +4 in clearances, but the rest of the statistics had evened up, with Woodville-West Torrens having a good crack at the finals aspirants.

Clark and Halfpenny had 10 disposals apiece at the main break.

The Eagles did all the attacking to commence the third quarter, but could manage just four behinds in the first half of the term.

Meanwhile, Walker kicked a goal for the Redlegs against the run of play to make it a 3.1-19 to 2.5-17 Norwood lead at the eight minute mark. To this point Woodville-West Torrens led inside 50m for the quarter 6-1.

It was Norwood’s turn to attack, but the Eagles defence stood strong.

Lee had another chance to put Norwood further in front, but was tackled in her goal attempt.

Lee had a second long shot that fell short, and it remained a two-point three quarter time lead, 3.1-19 to 2.5-17, despite the Eagles dominating patches of the quarter.

Inside 50m entries for the quarter ended up +3 for the Eagles.

Davies’ goal gave Norwood hope of sealing the season-defining win, but the Eagles never gave up on the result, despite being out of the finals race themselves.

Woodville-West Torrens has been a thorn in the side of Norwood all season, claiming another close win over the Redlegs at Thebarton Oval in Round 3.

Norwood will have to remove the disappointment factor immediately, with a huge King’s Birthday clash against Sturt at Unley Oval on Monday, before the Round 14 game against the Bloods.

Norwood currently sits fourth with a 6-5-1 record, but the Bloods and Double Blues are snapping at their heels on 5-7.

Norwood 1.0, 2.1, 3.1, 4.1 – 25

WWT 1.1, 2.1, 2.5, 4.6 – 30

Goals: Davies, Lee, Simmonds, Walker

Best: Boon, Simmonds, Arkun, Lee, Rusden