Undermanned Norwood Juniors have tough day in Elizabeth

Norwood’s U18s and U16s had a tough trip to Elizabeth this week facing strong Central District sides that began the weekend top three in both grades.

The Redlegs were under the pump as it was, forced to make 16 changes in the U16s and 19 changes in the U18s due to the resumption of the College Football Season and the AFL U18 Championships nearing closer.

The U18s were coming off a strong win over the fourth placed Glenelg in Round 7, but were no match for Centrals on Saturday, going down 14.15-99 to 5.6-36.

Norwood Captain Darcy Speyer was a shining light for the Redlegs, with 34 disposals, two goals and nine tackles, amassing 160 ranking points.

After spending recent weeks in the Reserves, Will Prescott was also strong for the Redlegs in his return to the U18s with 24 disposals and a goal.

Ashton Hartwig and Luke Scott both had 23 touches, and Micah Kretschmer 22.

It was a similar story for Norwood’s U16s, who suffered a 12.10-82 to 3.6-24 loss to the Bulldogs.

The Redlegs started well with the only goal of the opening term, before the Bulldogs put the game away with an eight-goal second quarter.

Joseph Nak kicked all three goals for Norwood, from 18 disposals, while Mason Tambe had the ball on a string in defence with 37 disposals and seven tackles.

Thomas Gribben had 31 touches and seven marks across half back.

U18

Norwood 1.0, 3.3, 4.5, 5.6 – 36

Central District 3.6, 5.9, 9.13, 14.15 – 99

Goals: Speyer 2, Bromson, Miller, Prescott

Best: Speyer, Prescott, Bartel, Hartwig, van Wyk

U16

Norwood 1.0, 1.3, 3.6, 3.6 – 24

Central District 0.2, 8.2, 9.4, 12.10 – 82

Goals: Nak 3,

Best: Tambe, Gribben, Hazelhurst, Nak, Lemmer