Seven straight for Norwood after King’s Birthday thriller

Monday’s King’s Birthday clash between Norwood and Sturt at Unley Oval had everything, but all that Redlegs fans cared about was the final result… a seventh straight win, this time by just three points.

The ladder leaders have now evened the season ledger with reigning premier Sturt at 1-1, but they had to overcome a nine-point deficit in the final quarter, into a strong breeze. Norwood managed a five-goal-to-three final term to claim the 13.4-82 to 12.7-79 win.

At different stages, the key forwards at each end tore the game apart – Sturt’s Lachlan Burrows kicked three second quarter goals to put his side in front, before Norwood’s Jackson Callow kicked three final quarter goals to do the same for the Redlegs.

A key coaching move also proved pivotal for Norwood, moving star defender Aaron Francis forward in the second half, who went on to kick the other two final quarter majors to help seal the win for the visitors.

A game as good as this needed a pinnacle, and it came in the dying seconds, as Sturt trailed by four points when Double Blues midfielder Marty Frederick swung a high floating ball to the goal line, which was touched through for a behind. The siren blew on the Redlegs win on the kick out.

Much earlier in the day, 150 gamer Declan Hamilton ran out with his baby daughter Lottie. He won the toss and Norwood kicked with a strong wind towards the southern end in the first term, which had been a factor in the previous two matches earlier in the day.

The first 10 minutes was a complete smashing, as Norwood had 33 disposals to nine, seven marks to none and six inside 50m entries to two, whilst laying 12 tackles to 10.

It equated in three goals to Jayden Gale, Hamilton and Charlie Molan to quickly jump out to an 18-point lead.

Sturt needed to stop the momentum, and did well to half the remainder of the quarter. The Double Blues kicked two goals into the breeze, before a fourth to Norwood through a contentious free kick.

Norwood led by 11 points, 4.1-25 to 2.2-14, at quarter time, and also led disposal +13, tackles +2, clearances +2 and inside 50m +4, but the challenge would come as Sturt had the breeze in the second term.

Luca Slade goaled for Sturt within the first 50 seconds of the second term to make it a five-point game.

Norwood refused to kick it long into the breeze, instead looking for the short corridor kick or a handball chain, which invited pressure and turnovers from the Double Blues.

After 22 minutes, Slade’s early goal remained the only major in the second term, which Norwood wouldn’t have minded into the breeze.

From the defensive arm wrestle, it quickly flipped into a goal fest with four goals in the final seven minutes of the quarter, three of which came off the boot of Sturt full forward Burrows who turned the game on its head.

Alex Swinnerton managed one for Norwood, and at half time Sturt held a seven-point lead, 6.4-40 to 5.3-33.

The Redlegs still held the advantage in the disposals 149-112, marks 33-26, tackles 36-32 and clearances 17-14 at the main break.

Nik Rokahr had 13 disposals, Francis 12, Finn Heard 10 and Matthew Ling 10 for Norwood, while Frederick had 11 touches for the Double Blues.

Trying to capitalise on the third quarter breeze advantage, centre half back Francis was thrown forward, but Sturt made the early running with two early goals through Oliver Grivell and Sam Conforti.

The Double Blues had kicked the last four goals, and with it a lead of 20 points.

Norwood desperately needed the next one, and it was Gale who made it happen, but it was quickly erased by another Double Blues goal, who had all the answers.

In a huge change of momentum. Burrows received an off the ball free kick in the goal square, which was then overturned to Tom Donnelly who was shoved to the ground. The Redlegs were able to find the next goal, a Swinnerton soccer to make it eight points.

Norwood returned the favour with an off the ball hit on Josh Hone (who was kept to six disposals and a goal). The Redlegs got away with it, as it seemed the teams were trading brain fades as Sturt gave the visitors a 25m penalty to escape the defensive zone.

Each side kicked three goals in what turned out to be a tight, spiteful third term, with the Redlegs kicking the last two to reduce the three quarter time Sturt lead to nine, 9.6-60 to 8.3-51.

Callow opened the scoring in the final term with his second, and Norwood’s third consecutive goal. Loch Rawlinson and Francis kicked the next two for their sides, and it was three points the margin at the six-minute mark of the last term.

Francis booted his second set shot goal in front of the packed hill to put the Redlegs in front.

Callow – who’s struggled with conversion in 2026 stood tall – kicking two vital set shots to put the Redlegs 15 points in front,

Norwood had five goals in the final term, but the day was far from done as Sturt found the next two to make it three points once again as the clock ticked into time on.

The Redlegs, who had let games slip to the Double Blues and Glenelg earlier in the season, were keen to take a big scalp, and could breathe far easier when the swinging Frederick attempt fell centimetres short.

Norwood have a bye next weekend, before taking on Adelaide in Round 11.

Norwood 4.1, 5.3, 8.3, 13.4 – 82

Sturt 2.2, 6.4, 9.6, 12.7 – 79

Goals: Callow 4, Francis 2, Gale 2, Swinnerton 2, Binder, Hamilton, Molan