NFC Match Report Round 8

NORWOOD has returned to its winning ways after defeating West Adelaide by 55-points on Friday night at the Parade.

After falling to back to back defeats for the first time in a year, Jarrod Cotton’s man were out with a point to prove booting 19 goals to West Adelaide’s 10.

In what was a rather tight contest in the opening term, both sides went goal for goal early with the Bloods kicking the first major of the evening through Gibson Turner.

The hosts hit-back straight away as Cole Gerloff found space from 35 metres to give Norwood their first of the contest.

In perfect football conditions the Redlegs were matched early, however lead the visitors by nine-points.

Promising youngster Cameron Taheny was lively up forward kicking two majors for the first term, while Declan Hamilton was the other sole goal kicker.

The second quarter saw Norwood step up a gear with the hosts booting seven second quarter majors.

Zac Richards was the first to hit the scoreboard after 36 seconds, before Taheny made no mistake to kick his third from 40 metres out.

League debutant Josh Richards then kicked his first goal in the red and blue after pouncing on a Brady Dawe error to wheel around to extend Norwood’s margin to 27-points.

The Legs were in full control of the contest as Mitch Grigg found plenty of the ball as well as Lewis Johnston who found plenty of room in his new role as a midfielder to
register a number of inside 50’s for Norwood.

After a dominant display in the ruck Sam Baulderstone launched a lovely 45-metre goal directly in front to extend the margin to 33, before Johnston and livewire forward Anthony Wilson each kicked a major to round out a solid second term for the hosts.

For most of the contest Norwood continued to hunt and pressure the opposition despite losing the tackle count (55-44).

Cotton’s charges remained in control of the encounter as illustrated by them having 104 marks to the Bloods’ 75 as they worked the clock to perfection.

Former North Melbourne defender Brad McKenzie created plenty from the back half to have 35 touches, while Gerloff continued to cement his spot in the best 21 with four goals to go with his 24 possessions.

Taheny finished with a game high five majors, while Grigg finished with 29 disposals and nine tackles.
Wilson marked his return from a quad injury with four goals for Norwood, with his ability to hit the ball at speed before snapping truly an eye-catching feature of his game.

The Redlegs travel to Noarlunga on Queens Birthday Monday to face the Panthers in Round 10 SANFL Statewide action.

SCOREBOARD:
NORWOOD 4.5 11.5 16.6 19.8 (122)
WEST 3.2 3.3 8.5 10.9 (69)

GOALS
Taheny 5, Gerloff 4, Wilson 4, Barry, Baulderstone, Hamilton, Johnston, J.Richards, Z.Richards

BEST
McKenzie, Barry, Gerloff, Taheny, Stephens, Georgiou, Grigg