Match Report – Legs go down to the Double Blues

The Redlegs have fallen to their third defeat of the season, going down to Sturt by 28-points at Wigan Oval on Sunday afternoon.

The Double Blues led for most of the contest as they flexed their muscles in the final term to win 12.9 (81) to 7.11 (53).

It was their first victory against the Redlegs at Wigan Oval since 2017.

Sturt’s Abe Davis booted a game-high six goals and set the tone early for Sturt booting his first two majors inside the first six minutes of play.

Tom Wagner and Ben Jarvis kicked goals for Norwood throughout the first term, however, it was James Battersby who snapped a classy goal on his left to give the visitors an early lead at the first break.

The Norwood faithful were brought into life early in the second term as Cam Taheny kicked his first of the game through a set shot of his own before Davis added two more goals to stretch the margin out to 23-points.

Connor McLean ended the quarter the right way for Norwood as he was set up well by Jarvis to reduce the deficit to 17-points at the main break.

The third quarter proved to be a real arm wrestle, as Norwood continued to try and break down Sturt.

Ben Jarvis kicked his second on the five-minute mark to get the margin within 16-points, however, it was Sturt who continued to hold firm and not let Norwood gain a run on.

Despite Xavier Tranfa kicking Norwood’s first goal of the final term, it was Davis who continued to dominate Norwood kicking two more goals to bring up his sixth of the day.

2021 Michael Taylor Medallist, Nik Rokahr was everywhere for his 36 possessions and 11 marks as he continually tried to drag his team back into the match but after the Legs got within 14 points twice in the final term, it was Davis who put victory beyond reach for the visitors.

Midfielder Jay Rantall collected 27 disposals and eight tackles while experienced pair Matthew Nunn (22 disposals, 10 tackles) and Declan Hamilton (25 possessions) also fought hard for the visitors.

SCOREBOARD:

NORWOOD: 2.3 4.5 5.10 7.11 (53)

STURT: 4.3 7.4 9.6 12.9 (81)

GOALS: Jarvis 2, Wagner, Donnelly, Taheny, McLean, Tranfa

BEST: Rantall, Wilkins, Rokahr, Kennerley, Tranfa, Stockdale