Match Report – Tough Legs overrun the Roosters

NORWOOD has recorded a resounding 36-point victory against the ladder-leading North Adelaide at Coopers Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Redlegs were challenged early by the Roosters, however, showed plenty of grit and determination to win 17.8 (110) to 11.8 (74).

North Adelaide made an early statement, booting the first two goals of the contest through Lachlan Grubb and Andrew Moore.

It was tough early for the Redlegs, as North Adelaide were cleaner at ground level and winning the contest around the ground.

Clever forward Baynen Lowe kicked Norwood’s first goal with a dribbler in 16^th minute, before Cory Stockdale finished off some nice work by Ben Jarvis to hand Norwood the lead for the first time.

New arrival Luke Surman stamped his authority on the contest just on 25 minutes, as he marked and goaled handing Norwood an eight-point buffer at the first break.

Jacob Surjans troops started the second term with a point to prove as they put their foot on the accelerator kicking four goals inside ten minutes of play.

To Norwood’s credit, they kept the faith and continued to pressure and hunt the opposition.

Lowe was able to kick his second of the contest in the 18^th minute before Norwood fashioned another three in a row through stand-in Captain, Jacob Kennerley, Connor McLean and Jed Spence.

The intensity of the match lifted throughout the second term, as Norwood found it tough to keep hold of Moore who had his fourth goal for the half.

In form midfielder, Jay Rantall profited off a rushed kick by Nick Lowden to hand Norwood a six-point margin at the main break.

With all to play for in the second half, it took the ever-dangerous Matthew Panos just four seconds to kick the Redlegs first major of the term from just on 50-metres.

The first goal of the term generated confidence and belief in the Redlegs which saw damaging half-back Declan Hamilton get forward and perfectly execute a set shot from 50-metres to extend Norwood’s lead to 18-points.

The Response from North Adelaide was swift, as Frank Szekely kicked his first of the contest breathing some life into the ladder leaders.

Norwood, however, wasn’t to be denied as their pressure and ability to win the ball at stoppage proved to be a major obstacle for the Roosters.

Ben Jarvis who had worked tirelessly found some reward for effort, kicking truly from 35-metres, before Premier ruckman Harry Boyd marked and goaled to extend the lead to 25-points.

Dylan Hilder responded for North Adelaide late in the term, however, Norwood kept on producing the goods as Kennerley stepped up again to hand the Redlegs a 26-point lead heading into the final change.

With the game on the line, the Redlegs relished the opportunity to out hunt the league leaders as it was goal for goal early in the fourth.

Jarvis and Lowe continued their good form in front of goals, however, North continued to come at the home side.

Norwood however wasn’t to be denied against the Roosters this time around, as Josh Richards and Jed Spence kicked back-to-back goals to put the finishing touches on what was one of the performances of the year for the red and blue.

As many as 12 players hit the goal kickers list, with goalsneak Baynen Lowe bagging three as Ben Jarvis, Jacob Kennerley and Jed Spence booting two each.

Acting captain Kennerley, in the absence of the injured Matthew Nunn (ankle), racked up 30 disposals and six marks while Jay Rantall continued his excellent form with 29 touches and eight marks.

Norwood’s Nik Rokahr (27 disposals) and Henry Nelligan (22 disposals) were other strong contributors for the hosts, as was Panos with 17 touches and five clearances.

SCOREBOARD:

NORWOOD: 3.4 8.5 13.7 17.8 (110)

NORTH ADELAIDE: 2.2 7.5 9.5 11.8 (78)

GOALS: Lowe 3, Jarvis 2, Kennerley 2, Spence 2, Rantall, McLean, Panos, Boyd, Hamilton, Stockdale, Richards

BEST: Heard, Lowe, Boyd, Kennerley, Richards, Nelligan