Norwood’s Milestone Men

By Joseph Marciano

200 Games

Brady Dawe
The veteran forward and three-time Premiership Player from Meadows is on track to join the SANFL’s ‘200 Club’ in Norwood’s Round nine clash with South at Noarlunga. Reaching that milestone would make Brady the first 200-game Redleg since Stuart Bown in 2011. If he plays the rest of the ten home and away games this season, it would push him into 16th all-time on games played for Norwood equal with Troy Clements on 209.

Jace Bode
The captain is on track for a double milestone in 2019. After playing 39 games with the Double Blues before making the switch to the Parade, Bode is likely to achieve this milestone in Round 17 against Centrals in our last home match of the year. It is a mark that could have come earlier for the 31-year-old if not for some injury woes in recent seasons. Bode, however, has shrugged off a shoulder concern which he sustained in Round One and is now fit and firing.

100 Games

Ed Smart (93 games) – Ed Smart has been a consistent performer for the Norwood Football Club over a long period of time. Smart is a two-time Premiership player who gives his all week in week out. Alongside partner in crime Anthony Wilson, Smart’s tackle pressure and ability to keep the football locked in Norwood’s forward 50 is something the red and blue faithful love and admire. Smart is in line to play his 100th game against North Adelaide in Round 15.

50 Gamers

Brad McKenzie (41 games) – the former North Melbourne midfielder has now been re-formed as a defender under the tenor of Senior Coach Jarrod Cotton. McKenzie has been a breath of fresh air since entering the back six with his ability to pinpoint a pass with his beautiful left foot. McKenzie has also become a marking leading the club with 74 in his first nine games of 2019.

Matthew Nunn (45 games) – Nunny made his debut in 2014 against Sturt at the Parade. After several years being in and out of the League side, 2018 proved to be a breakout year for the 22-year old. Although complemented with the likes of Grigg and Panos, Nunn has more than held his own finishing third in the 2018 Best and Fairest. His pace around the contest and ability to evade sees him as one of the premier midfielders in the competition.

Debutants

After handing 10 players their League debut last season, and with another talented crop of juniors progressing into the senior program, the Redlegs have already given five new players their first match in the red and blue.

Josh Richards, the younger brother of Zac, was the latest Norwood junior to progress to the League side, while small forward Cody Szust and former Port Adelaide wingman Dom Barry have also donned the red and blue for the first time. Talented duo Dylan Stephens and Cameron Taheny have also made their debut’s in 2019.

The Redlegs have already celebrated a couple of 100 Game milestones this year.

Matthew Panos (103 Games) 2014 Jack Oatey Medallist Matthew Panos played his 100th match in Round three against Sturt. Panos has been an influential player since arriving back at the Parade from the Western Bulldogs. A move into the midfield has proved to pay dividends with the midfielder’s ability to be super clean by foot and hand. Panos will no doubt be important in the second half of 2019.

Lewis Johnston (105 Games) After joining the Redlegs in 2016 Lewis Johnston has transformed himself over the years from a full forward to one of the most critical players in the Norwood side. Johnston had a terrific 2018 Season which culminated in finishing equal fourth in the Best and Fairest along with a selection in the 2018 Advertiser Team of the Year. Johnston played his 100th game along with Matthew Panos against Sturt and will look to continue his excellent form throughout the rest of the 2019 season.