Match Report – South run down the Legs in Semi-Final

NORWOOD’s finals campaign has come to an end after falling by 19-points to South Adelaide on Saturday afternoon at Adelaide Oval.

After a gruelling Qualifying Final against the Eagles a fortnight ago, the Legs couldn’t match the Panthers at the contest as they stormed booted the three of the first four goals of the contest.

Paul Puopolo gave the Redlegs the perfect start as he chased down Panther Hayden Sampson to make no mistake of his set shot from 35-metres.

The Panthers kicked into gear soon after as they booted three goals in a row to claim the lead.

Forward Henry Nelligan was awarded a freekick for a high tackle just on the quarter-time siren as his goal reduced the deficit to eight points at the first interval.

Both sides were dealt injury blows after quarter time, with dual Magarey Medallist Mitch Grigg suffering a knee injury, while South defender Matthew Broadbent was ruled out with a hamstring strain.

The loss of Broadbent had no effect on the Panthers as their speed and accuracy in front of goal saw them race out to a 31-point lead midway through the second term.

Captain Matthew Nunn steadied the ship for Norwood five minutes later, before Lachlan Pascoe goaled from 45 metres to bring the Redlegs back into the contest.

A late goal from Redlegs spearhead Tristan Binder gave the Redlegs plenty of optimism heading into the break as they trailed by just 11-points.

Unfortunately for Norwood, it was the Panthers that gained an early jump in the third quarter booting four goals in succession to again claim a handy 31-point lead.

The Redlegs responded through goals to Brad McKenzie and Pascoe before the task was made all but harder when dual Magarey Medallist Joel Cross goaled for the Panthers just on three-quarter time.

With all to play for in the final term, Norwood had to take on the opposition and immediately found two early goals through Richard Douglas and Lachlan Pascoe.

Unfortunately, Nobes popped up again for South and kicked his fourth to again restore the margin back to 27-points.

As Norwood continued to push, it was the Panthers who held on to end Norwood’s finals run and all but book a berth in the Preliminary Final against Glenelg this Friday night.

Norwood’s Josh Richards (29 disposals) and Nik Rokahr (26 disposals) lifted their output in Grigg’s absence as Harry Boyd battled away in the ruck for 25 disposals and 12 clearances.

Legs captain Matthew Nunn and former Crow Richard Douglas both tallied 23 disposals and a goal.

SCOREBOARD:

NORWOOD: 2.1 5.1 7.2 10.4 (64)

SOUTH ADELAIDE: 3.3 6.6 11.9 12.11 (83)

GOALS: Pascoe 3, Douglas, McKenzie, Hamilton, Binder, Nelligan, Nunn Puopolo

BEST:  J. Heard, I. Saywell, H. Boyd, J. Richards, L. Pascoe, B. McKenzie