Come from behind win keeps Redlegs season alive

Norwood’s SANFLW season is well and truly back on track after an emphatic eight-point victory over Central District at Coopers Stadium on Saturday.  

It was the first game under interim coach Alison Ferrall (after Head Coach Brad Ferrall stepped down earlier in the week), and the Redlegs overcame a slow start to run out 9.4-58 to 8.2-50 winners.

Norwood might have started with a scoreless opening quarter, but put together its highest scoring term since Round 4 last season to boot four final quarter goals and overpower the Bulldogs.

The Redlegs were in all sorts of trouble at half time, trailing 6.1-37 o 3.2-20, and matters got worse when former Norwood forward Tesharna Maher goaled four minutes into the third term to make it an imposing 23-point Bulldogs lead.

However, Norwood chipped away and two third quarter goals to Adrienne Davies and Sarah Branford kept the home side in the contest.

At the final break, Centrals were certainly in the box seat, holding a 12-point 7.2-44 to 5.2-32 lead.

Mykaela Walker continued the comeback mission with a goal in the opening 90 seconds of the final term to reduce the margin to six points, and Kiana Lee levelled the scores at the six-minute mark.

Kate Alexander – who was last week selected in the State U18 squad – continued her good week with a goal at the 12-minute mark, which made it five consecutive Norwood goals.

Amelia Rusden kicked the sealer with a classy finish on the run as the clock ticked into time-on, and with that the Redlegs held a 13-point advantage.

Karissa Searle kicked a goal in the dying stages of the match for the Bulldogs to give the visitors a glance of hope, but it was to be the Redlegs day.

Reigning best and fairest winner Jade Halfpenny was once again best on ground for the Redlegs with 21 disposals, 11 tackles and five clearances. Also selected in the State U18 side Charlee Brooksby had 13 disposals, while Walker kicked two goals from her 13 disposals.

Davies was the other multiple goal kicker with two.

The Redlegs claimed their third win of what’s been a difficult season thus far, plagued by injury and inconsistency, but Norwood now sits just one win outside the top four. It was a vital win against the Bulldogs, who are now also 3-6 and fighting for fourth place.

The only sour blow of the game was an injury to Shai Hiscock, adding to the likes of Tahlita Buethke and Emily Bartsch who were already on the sidelines.

The Redlegs now face West Adelaide in Round 10 in what is a huge clash at Richmond Oval on Saturday, May 31.

Both the Redlegs and Bloods sit 3-6, and have Sturt’s fourth place (4-5 record) in their sights.

With five matches remaining it seems only the Double Blues’ fourth place is up for grabs, with Woodville-West Torrens (8-1), South Adelaide (8-1) and North Adelaide (6-3) putting together strong seasons to date.

In the run home, Norwood face West, Sturt, South, Glenelg and Centrals.

Norwood 0.0, 3.2, 5.2, 9.4 – 58

Central District 2.1, 6.1, 7.2, 8.2 – 50

Goals: Davies 2, Walker 2, Alexander, Branford, Crosby, Lee, Rusden

Best: Halfpenny, M. Walker, Rusden, Davies, Jaques