Match Report – Norwood defeat League Leader Eagles

NORWOOD has recorded its fifth win of the season with an upset 40-point victory over league leaders Woodville West Torrens at Coopers Stadium on Friday night.

Tom Pinyon was the best key forward on the ground with three goals while Richard Douglas & Nik Rokahr won plenty of the ball, as Norwood saw off the Eagles 12.12 (84) to 6.8 (44) to keep its top four chances alive.

In near perfect conditions for night football to return to the Parade, the Eagles started well booting the first three majors of the game.

In form midfielder Richard Douglas handed Norwood their first of the contest at the 20-minute mark as he turned and kicked truly from 50 metres out.

The second quarter saw Norwood come out with a point to prove as Captain Matthew Panos found leading forward Tom Pinyon inside 50 who marked strongly from 35 metres out from goal.

Pinyon made no mistake handing Norwood it’s second and bring the red and blue faithful to life.

Pinyon was starting to cause havoc within the Eagles defensive 50 as he kicked his second just three minutes after to tie the scores at 21 apiece.

Norwood’s prolific midfield of Mitch Grigg, Ryan Bastinac and Richard Douglas continued to dominate the clearances as Grigg found speedster Dom Barry inside 50 who made no mistake kicking a goal from 30 metres to give Norwood the lead for the first time in the match.

Grigg, then kicked one of his own as he set sail on the run from 50 metres to provide some breathing space extending the margin to 12-points.

Despite Eagles ruckman Jarrad Redden kicking one against the run of play, skipper Matthew Panos popped up with two clutch goals before Peter Bampton made no mistake of his set shot to give the Eagles something to think about heading into the half time break.

The visitors withstood Norwood’s pressure for ten minutes during a tight opening to the third quarter but then the dam burst, Pinyon was imposing himself on the contest once again, booting the first goal of the term before; Douglas kicked his second slotting one home from 45 metres on a slight angle.

Norwood’s pressure saw them create another six more scoring opportunities to the Eagles one giving the home team a 38-point lead going into the three quarter time break.

The final term saw Norwood continue to press its advantage and take the game on but managed to be a little wayward in front of goals kicking the first four points of the quarter.

The Redlegs then steadied as Anthony Wilson made a welcome return to form with two goals, the last one on the run from 50m bringing a huge roar from the Redleg crowd close to the final siren.

Douglas was outstanding with 36 disposals, five marks and two goals while Geelong VFL recruit Nik Rokahr continues to prove his worth, this time as a midfielder gathering 34 possessions and 13 marks to be among Norwood’s best.

Defensive duo Brad McKenzie and Cam Shenton provided plenty of rebound from the back half to have 53 touches between them; Cam Ball & Mitch Wilkins controlled the opposition’s most dangerous forwards while Panos and Bastinac registered 24 disposals each.

Daniel Fairbrother, a Dylan Stephens look-a-like, had 13 disposals on debut for Norwood while Isaac Saywell and Jacob Collins are two other young first-year Redlegs going about their roles nicely.

Norwood now travel to Elizabeth on Saturday afternoon when they face Centrals at X-Convenience Oval.

SCOREBOARD:

NORWOOD:1.2 8.4 10.8 12.12 (84)

EAGLES: 3.3 4.5 4.6 6.8 (44)

GOALS: Pinyon 3, Panos 2, Wilson 2, Douglas 2, Bampton, Barry, Grigg

BEST: McKenzie, Rokahr, Douglas, Wilkins, Ball, Shenton, Panos, Saywell