Norwood claim first win under new coach, Ben Hunt

Norwood has secured its first win of the SANFL Women’s season, and the first under new coach Ben Hunt, hanging on to a two-point victory over North Adelaide on Anzac Day.

On their second road trip of the season, after two rounds, the Redlegs were keen to rectify a tough start to the year (26-point loss to South Adelaide) when they headed to Prospect Oval on Saturday.

Led by new captain, Jade Halfpenny, who was outstanding, the Redlegs immediately looked a different side to Round 1, kicking the first three goals of the afternoon.

The Roosters fought back with three goals of their own to level the game at quarter time 3.1-19 apiece.

It was a game of momentum, as Norwood booted the next two out of quarter time through Steph Simmonds and Coby Morgan to claim a 13-point half time lead – holding North scoreless in the second term.

Norwood made it three in a row, with Nicola Burns kicking the only goal of the third quarter, to make it a handy 19-point lead at the final break.

It was all North in the final term, bursting out of the three quarter time huddle and booting two quick goals within four minutes. The 19-point lead was back to seven, and it was game on.

Emma Clark had the steely resolve to snap the momentum, albeit briefly, with a goal to return the game to 13 points.

North found two more quick goals to level the scores with seven minutes remaining – it was anyone’s game.

Norwood managed the match situation better, dominating field position in the dying minutes, as the Roosters started to panic kick out of defence.

The Redlegs found the go-ahead point as Elle Lineage rushed it over the line, and Charlee Brooksby booted another late in the game.

Halfpenny has been outstanding in her new leadership role, with 23 disposals, 10 tackles and nine clearances to lift her side over the line.

Young gun, Lani Cocks had 21 disposals, while Coby Morgan and Lana Schwerdt each had 18.

Norwood 3.1, 5.2, 6.3, 7.5 – 47

North Adelaide 3.1, 3.1, 3.2, 7.3 – 45

Goals: Simmonds 2, Barker, Burns, Clark, Gaedtke, Morgan

Best: Halfpenny, Jaques, Cocks, Rusden, Morgan