Redlegs win Inaugural U18 Girls Premiership

History was made at X Convenience Oval on Sunday, as Norwood blasted its way to the inaugural AAMI Talent League U18 Girls Premiership.

It was a stunning display from the Redlegs, who cruised their way to victory, 7.0-42 to 3.2-20, over minor premiers Central District.

It was a tight first quarter, with both sides having their chances to take the ascendency, but it was Norwood that led by six points at the first break, and didn’t look back.

Norwood was the first on the board, following a Della McCracken mark and set shot from 25m out at the James Gowans End, celebrating with teammates and fist pumping the crowd.

Centrals fired back soon after with a goal to Annalise Lovell and it was 1.0-6 apiece after seven minutes, both sides settling into the contest nicely.

It was dead even on the stats line as well, with disposals 51-50, clearances 6-9 and inside 50m entries 3-3. The only clear statistical advantage was Norwood leading tackles +8 (28-20) in a high pressure finals game.

The Redlegs took a six-point lead into the first break with Amelia Kelly soccering a goal over the line seconds before the siren.

Recently named in the U16 Girls All Australian side, Mia Wood had nine disposals, two clearances and two tackles in the opening quarter.

Norwood was outstanding in the second term, stamping its authority on the Grand Final.

Wood continued to dominate the game with another six disposals (15 to half time), while Ella Anderson (12 disposals to half time) had several important moments driving the Redlegs forward.

The Redlegs kicked two goals late in the term, through Taylah Pearson and Kailee Colbung-Ware to take a handy 17-point, 4.0-24 to 1.1-7 advantage into the main break.

Norwood got on top around the ground, going into half time leading disposals +24, while Centrals led inside 50m entries +1 and clearances +5.

The Redlegs looked dangerous every time they went inside their attacking zone, scoring four times from 10 entries.

McCracken kicked her second, and what was all-but the sealing goal, just 90 seconds into the third term, which put the Redlegs up by 23 points.

Lillian Thomas, who was the Semi Final hero last week, got involved in the decider with back to back goals and all of a sudden it was an unassailable, match high lead of 35 points.

The Redlegs had booted six unanswered goals to blow the game apart, before Sophie Bevis got the Bulldogs second goal on the board.

At the final break, the Redlegs led by 29 points, 7.0-42 to 2.1-13 and had the chance to thoroughly enjoy the last term.

The Redlegs didn’t score in the final term, but the damage was done as they celebrated a 22-point win.

Anderson was awarded the Best on Ground Medal with her 25-disposal, six-clearance and four-tackle effort, while Wood finished with 23 disposals and seven clearances.

Norwood 2.0, 4.0, 7.0, 7.0 – 42

Central District 1.0, 1.1, 2.1, 3.2 – 20

Goals: McCracken 2, Thomas 2, Kailee Colbung-Ware, Kelly, T. Pearson