Match Report – Classy Legs clip Eagles wings at Woodville

NORWOOD has moved into fourth spot on the SANFL Hostplus ladder with a convincing 24-point win against Reigning Premiers Woodville West-Torrens at Oval Avenue yesterday afternoon.

The result was set up with Norwood booting the first five goals of the contest, which was enough to keep the Eagles at bay.

Connor McLean continued his excellent form in front of goals botting four, while hard-running midfielder, Jay Rantall was outstanding with three first-half goals.

Without Senior Coach Jade Rawlings and Captain Matthew Nunn, the Redlegs dominated the early going with the midfield gaining ascendancy and generating several inside 50 entries.

Norwood’s first goal came inside the first three minutes with McLean making no mistake from a routine set shot 20 metres out.

Rantall extended the margin three minutes after as he snapped a goal from 30-metres out before Jed Spence produced a classy snap of his own to push Norwood’s buffer out to 20.

The Legs kept the Eagles goalless in the first term and went into the break 20-points in front.

The Legs replied 10 minutes later, as in form forward Connor McLean made no mistake from a well-rehearsed set shot from an acute angle.

It took three minutes into the second term for McLean to again make his presence felt when he again marked strongly from 35-metres out. McLean had his second before Rantall was at it again this time snapping truly from an acute angle to bring the Norwood fans to life.

Despite five unanswered goals, classy forward Daniel Menzel kick-started the Eagles revival with three goals of his own, however, Norwood weren’t to be denied as livewire forward Ben Jarvis kicked a crucial set shot goal from the pocket before Rantall could do no wrong by kicking third to extend the margin to 25-points.

The Redlegs were relentless in the third term, despite the Eagles kicking the first major of the term through Troy Menzel.

Norwood’s pressure and ability to play instinctively saw them create several scoring shots generating field position and numerous attacks.

McLean kicked his third in the 12^th minute of play, as Norwood continued to share the football and hold its defensive structure.

Whenever the hosts surged Norwood had an answer as it built a commanding 36-point advantage when experienced defender Mitch Wilkins goaled on the run seconds before the three-quarter time siren.

With the wind at their backs in the fourth quarter, the Eagles got within 18 points when 200 Club member Jarred Allmond wasted no time with his set shot.

Answering goals to dangerous forwards McLean and Jarvis ensured Norwood would take the premiership points though, as it assumed fourth place on the SANFL Hostplus ladder.

Former Collingwood midfielder Rantall was outstanding in playing a major role constructing the victory in the first half, earning the Coles Value Player Award.

Rantall tallied a game-high 36 disposals, six marks and eight tackles while also hitting the scoreboard with his three goals.

Reinvigorated McLean kicked four goals while Jarvis finished with three as the Legs recorded a commanding tackle count of 83 to the Eagles’ 60.

Consistent Nik Rokahr collected 29 disposals and six clearances while Jed Spence made the most of his inclusion into the team by racking up 26 disposals, 14 tackles and a goal.

Former Eagle Pierce Seymour relished fronting up against his old side with 19 disposals and five marks while Norwood ruck Harry Boyd had 20 disposals, six marks and eight clearances.

The Press Conference will be out at a later time than scheduled.

SCOREBOARD:

EAGLES: 0.2 3.4 4.4 10.6 (66)

NORWOOD: 3.4 7.5 9.10 13.12 (90)

GOALS: McLean 4, Rantall 3, Jarvis 2, Spence, Wilkins

BEST: Rantall, Spence, Hamilton, Heard, McLean, Jarvis