Wayward kicking costs Norwood in Teakle Cup

A horror day in front of goal cost Norwood dearly in Sunday’s annual regional match in Port Lincoln, with Adelaide claiming its first Teakle Cup title by 21 points.

In a day that was plagued by a strong wind blowing to the southern end, Adelaide made the most of its chances kicking 14.5-89, while the Redlegs had all sorts of problems, spraying 8.20-68.

On a tough and at times frustrating day, Elliston junior Jacob Newton was a shining light for Norwood, kicking three cracking goals.

The win was set up by a seven-goal first term from the Crows, who won the toss and kicked with the strong breeze.

Trailing by 36 points at the first break, following a 7.1-43 to 1.1-7 term it was now Norwood’s turn to kick with the wind at their back in the second term.

After just two scoring shots to eight in the first term, Norwood came rocketing back into the contest in the second term with 13 scoring shots to Adelaide’s two. Unfortunately for the Redlegs, it equated in a return of 3.10 to 2.0.

Norwood moved the ball well and got the ball in deep into attacking 50m, but couldn’t put the score on the board.

Tristan Binder was a prominent figure in Norwood’s forward line, but went into half time with three behinds to his name.

Newton nailed a second brilliant goal, taking on two Crows in the goalsquare before snapping truly, while Declan Hamilton also slotted a cracking goal deep in the pocket.

These were the two hardest chances, which Norwood was able to snap up. This was lucky as the Redlegs let a lot of other opportunities go begging.

At the main break, Norwood was well and truly back in the game trailing by 20 points, 9.1-55 to 4.11-35, but it was all about what they could restrict Adelaide to in the third quarter.

Nik Rokahr lifted in the second term, and went into half time with 16 disposals, a goal and five clearances, while Finn Heard and Jacob Kennerley had 12 disposals apiece.

Chayce Jones, who was Adelaide’s loose in defence in the second quarter had 15 first half disposals, while Lachie Sholl also had 15 disposals.

It was one way traffic in the third quarter, as the Crows all-but put the game to bed, quickly putting four goals on the board to restore the 40-point lead.

Once again, their conversion was outstanding with 4.2 to no score in the opening 20 minutes, which ended up being the difference in the game.

The Redlegs had one less scoring shot in the opening three quarters, but trailed by seven goals.

Leading by 47 points late in the third term, Adelaide went into preservation mode as Norwood found repeated forward 50m entries.

The Redlegs tried with all their might to get their attacking game going, but Adelaide parked the bus and defended gallantly.

After 10 minutes of relentless attacking, Norwood finally found their first goal of the third term, another ripper from Newton who helped his side to a three quarter time score of 5.11-41 to Adelaide’s 13.4-82.

Norwood had eight more inside 50m, led clearances by three and tackles by three, whilst having one fewer scoring shot. But trailed by 41 points at the final break.

The wind had settled, which wasn’t great news for Norwood who had it at their backs in the final term.

Port Lincoln local Binder gave Norwood a heartbeat with two massive goals to kick off the last quarter, making it three on the trot for the Redlegs. It was back to 28 points.

Luke Pedlar made sure there was no comeback, snapping his fourth goal five minutes later.

Jackson Callow goaled from close range to bring the margin back to 25 points, and while it seemed the game was lost, Norwood kicked a further six consecutive behinds in a costly 3.9 quarter.

Newton was impressive with three goals, while Binder finished with two goals from 16 disposals.

Rokahr was once again Norwood’s leading disposal winner with 27 touches, six clearances and a goal.

Pierce Seymour had 19 disposals and 10 marks, while Declan Hamilton, Matt Ling, Alastair Lord and Mitch O’Neill all had 17 touches.

Lachie Sholl had 28 for the Crows.

The Redlegs finished with +21 inside 50m entries, +3 tackles, +4 clearances and 28 scoring shots to 19 in a frustrating day.

Norwood is still winless from its first five matches of the 2025 season, while the Crows moved to 4-1.

The Redlegs travel to Noarlunga next Sunday to take on South Adelaide.

Norwood 1.1, 4.11, 5.11, 8.20 – 68

Adelaide 7.1, 9.1, 13.4, 14.5 – 89

Goals: Newton 3, Binder 2, Callow, Hamilton, Rokahr