Bays bundle over the Legs

GLENELG managed to escape with yet another impressive win after defeating Norwood by 10-points at ACH Group Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The fast-finishing Tigers were held to just four goals for the first three quarters before putting their foot on the accelerator kicking 7.3 to Norwood’s 3.0 straight in the final term.

Norwood looked the goods early as Nik Rokahr registered the Redlegs first of the contest with a tidy set shot within the first five minutes.

The Bays replied only minutes after through Darcy Bailey before, forward Tristan Binder was awarded a freekick from 40-metres out to punish the Tigers and increase Norwood’s lead.

The Legs continued to dominate the term with inside 50’s (20-8), however, could only manage an eight-point lead at the first break.

Norwood’s hopes of winning were made harder when small forward Paul Puopolo was stretchered off the field early in the second, however, the Redlegs continued to dominate territory and field position.

When Liam McBean goaled from 35 metres, Norwood had a fight on their hands yet it was second gamer Sam Morris and Eyre Peninsula product Jacob Kennerley who kicked crucial goals in the final eight minutes to create a handy 14-point lead over the ladder leaders.

The third term saw the game open up as Norwood continued to create scoring shots yet weren’t able to capitalise on their dominance. The Redlegs could only manage one goal courtesy of Henry Nelligan but still had a 17-point lead heading into the final change.

Glenelg defender turned forward Sam Durdin kicked the first of the last for the Bays as they started to dominate Norwood with clearances and inside 50’s.

Bailey kicked his second only moments before Marlon Motlop put the Bays ahead for the first time.

Despite the Bays sudden resurgence, Norwood didn’t lie down as Xavier Tranfa booted his first of the day before Richard Douglas kicked a remarkable goal off the ground to put the game back with Norwood’s reach.

The Bays were then able to flick the switch again as three crucial goals within a five-minute period all but ended the Legs day and saw the Tigers secure the minor Premiership.

Registering 54 inside 50 entries to Glenelg’s 45, Norwood were the better team for most of the afternoon but failed to put their rivals out of the game with inaccurate kicking, finishing with 8.17 (65).

Emerging midfielder Josh Richards did a fine job with 25 disposals while veteran Richard Douglas kicked 2.2 from his 22 disposals as Henry Nelligan returned from injury to have 21 disposals and a neat snapshot goal.

SCOREBOARD:

GLENELG: 2.0 3.4 4.6 11.9 (75)

NORWOOD: 2.8 4.12 5.17 8.17 (65)

GOALS: Douglas 2, Binder, Morris, Tranfa, Rokahr, Nelligan, Kennerley

BEST: J.Richards, R.Douglas, C.Ball, N.Rokahr, H.Nelligan, D.Hamilton