Gerloff gearing up for Semi-Final clash

EMERGING Norwood midfielder Cole Gerloff says Norwood has taken plenty of belief from Saturday’s Elimination Final win over the Double Blues.

The Redlegs now head into another do or die clash, when they face the Adelaide Crows in the First Semi-Final at Adelaide Oval on Sunday afternoon.

The Legs will look to again put in another dominant performance against a side they haven’t yet beaten in 2019.

“We all believe in ourselves knowing we can get the job done in finals,” said Gerloff.

“It was a tough-fought win against the Double Blues; however, our attention now turns to the Crows.

“Sunday will be another tough test, but that’s finals there are no easy games.

“We know our best footy can match it with anyone in the competition and with the team we have, I am confident our best footy is yet to come.

Although Saturday proved to be a tough encounter, Gerloff concedes Norwood need to be better at both controlling leads whilst stopping the oppositions momentum swings.

“I think when we do get out to a significant lead, we can’t be comfortable with it,” said Gerloff.

“Cotts’ (Jarrod Cotton) addressed on Monday that when teams get a run on, we need to make sure us as players lockdown to try and force a turnover.

“In saying that, when we as a team start to get a run on, we shouldn’t just rest on our laurels.

“We need to put our heads down and work harder to make sure we extend our margin even further, so it makes it even harder for the opposition.”

If we can put the Crows under plenty of pressure early and start well, it will go a long way in winning this game.”

In 2019 Gerloff has established himself in the Norwood midfield and has credited the midfield trio of Mitch Grigg, Matthew Panos and Sam Baulderstone as the three key pillars to what has been a rather consistent season so far.

“My role this season has been more of a defensive midfielder, then going forward to hit the scoreboard,” said Gerloff.

“Griggy (Mitch Grigg) and Nos (Matthew Panos) have been great to work with as well as Sam (Baulderstone) – who I am quite close with.

“Sam’s helped me a lot in terms of reading off the hand, when to go and a few other things.

“With injuries this year, it’s allowed me to come back through the midfield where I have played the majority of my junior footy.

“2019 has definitely been one of my most consistent years, however, I still have a few little lapses in games which I need to get better at.

“In saying that, I’m back to where I want to be now in terms of form and hopefully, I can have a strong finals campaign and do my job for the team to gain the ultimate success.”