NFCW Match Report – Round 1

Norwood vs North Adelaide
Round 1 – City Mazda Stadium – 15/02/19

Goals: Allen 2
Best: N. Allen, H. Dunn, J. Macolino, C. Tsoumbris, H. Priest, T. Meyer
Injuries: Rebekka McMahon (Leg)

The first game of the 2019 SANFL Statewide Super Women’s League campaign saw Norwood defeat North Adelaide by 11-points at City Mazda Stadium on Friday night.

After a long couple of months of pre-season training, the Lady Legs shrugged off an inaccurate start to the game to come storming home on the back of new recruit Najwa Allen.

Norwood dominated possession throughout the contest with more handballs, marks and kicks but struggled to convert their control of the game into scoreboard pressure for majority of the contest.

It was a frustrating first quarter as Norwood managed six straight behinds to quarter time.

The second quarter was quite even despite the Lady Legs’ adding another three behinds to their tally. Despite their inaccuracy, their defensive pressure was impressive restricting North to only four-points.

Inspirational Captain Rebekka McMahon was just starting to find her rhythm before a nasty collision saw her stretchered off with what was a fractured leg.

With the game quite congested up until half time, it was North Adelaide who came out with a point to prove in the Premiership quarter.

North’s Elysha Willis’ found herself 25 metres out, due to an infringement by one of the Norwood players which allowed her to bring the crowd into life kicking North’s first goal midway through the third term.

With Norwood trailing by two-points at the last break, Coach Steve Symonds demanded more from his Lady Legs entering the last quarter.

Small forward Matilda Zander and new recruit Jessica Macolino set the tone of the last quarter with her forward pressure troubling the Roosters. Forward Jo Hill also started to find the ball collecting nine touches in the final term.

However, following a string of neat forward passages the Redlegs finally broke through as Allen crumbed the ball well and wheeled around on her right to boot Norwood’s first major of the evening.

This brought the crowd into the game as Norwood started to look dangerous with their pressure and ball movement around the ground.

It was Allen again who found space in a crowded area to boot Norwood’s second and give the Redlegs a much needed 11-point lead.

The Lady Legs’ continued to pressure with repeat forward 50 entries; however the score remained the same allowing Norwood to secure their first win of the 2019 season.

The Norwood women are next in action this Friday night (7:45pm, February 22) in a Grand Final rematch at the Parade.