Underage Reports Round 3

Norwood’s U18 secured their first win of the season on Saturday with a win over the Eagles. With both teams coming into the game winless, we know that both teams would be giving all they could to secure the win. Norwood was switched on from start to finish with our ball movement, decision making and strength around the contest.

Despite only being three points ahead at quarter time, we felt as though the game was being played on our terms as we dominated the inside 50 count. We continued to win the inside 50 count each quarter resulting in 60 to 29 inside 50s by the end of the game. With so much of the ball in the Norwood forward line, goals began being kicked in the second quarter and Norwood was able to take a 16-point lead into halftime, 4.7 to 2.3.

Norwood was able to add an extra seven goals to our tally in the second half, while strong defensive efforts resulted in the Eagles being held to just 1.4. Despite losing the clearance numbers for the day, Norwood’s back six held strong throughout, resulting in the Eagles only scoring 3.7.

Beau Baldwin was named our best on the ground with his sharpshooting in front of goal and ability to be involved in ball movement down the ground. Baldwin ended the day with three goals and 22 disposals. Playing on the wing, Isaiah WIlksch was also a standout with his elite running and ability to contribute to our ball movement and be strong in the contest. Will Rowlands also contributed well in his first game back, kicking 2.1 and having 24 disposals. Down back, Riley Verrall and Max Daw both had standout games with 30 disposals seven marks, and 24 disposals seven marks respectively. Team captain Tyson Walls was also a standout, with 26 disposals in 3 quarters before he came off due to injury.

Well done to all the boys on an excellent team win.

SCOREBOARD:

EAGLES: 1.2 2.3 3.6 3.7 (25)

NORWOOD: 1.5 4.7 7.8 11.10 (76)

GOALS: Foster 3, Baldwin 3, Rahui 2, Rowlands 2, Wanganeen,

BEST:  B. Baldwin, I. Wilksch, R. Verrall, M. Daw, W. Rowlands

In Round three we travelled to Maughan Thiem Kia Oval to take on the Eagles. We played the Eagles in a trial and learnt quickly they are a strong side. As all clubs now, we were faced with plenty of changes which allowed us to provide opportunities to other squad players. Allowing the squad to gel has and will still take time. The Eagles started strongly kicking six goals to two in the first quarter. Our forward pressure let us down and the Eagles rebounded out of our forward line too easy which allowed them to score at the other end.

The second quarter was like the first, which allowed the Eagles to skip out to a strong lead at the break. In hot conditions, the challenge was put to the boys, and we felt after half time the boys had a crack. We won the contested possessions count and laid more tackles for the game, so you can see the boys are starting to understand the requirement at this level.

Even though the margin was 46-points we were only down four on the inside 50s for the match. The boys just need to work just as hard on offence and defence and maintain the effort longer which will put us in winning positions.

Jacob Newton worked hard through the middle, great to get Kane Halfpenny a game under his belt with 24 touches and James Boffa coming into the side took his opportunities across half-back. Tristan Edwards from Port Lincoln kicked a couple and is getting better each week.

We take on the Bays again this week and hopefully keep improving and looking forward to getting some continuity going forward.

SCOREBOARD:

EAGLES: 6.1 9.3 14.4 16.5 (101)

NORWOOD: 2.1 4.2 5.3 8.7 (55)

GOALS: Polkinghorne 3, Edwards 2, Paris 2, Hartwig, Lake,

BEST: Mustaca, Boffa, Newton, Halfpenny, Kirchhofer