Sheedy reflects on first win as Norwood Coach

A delighted Jade Sheedy has given his thoughts on Norwood’s first win of the season and his first victory as the club’s Senior Coach against South Adelaide on Sunday.

The Redlegs opened their 2025 account with a 30-point win over the Panthers at Noarlunga, which Sheedy said provided great reward after a challenging start to the season.

“I think it’s a bit of belief for the group, and I said after the game that it is for them (the players). They are the ones that have to do it; they’ve got to train and go out and implement what we’re trying to implement and commit so much time to SANFL footy, so I was just really proud of the group and a really big relief for them,” Sheedy said.

Leading at every change on the way to a comfortable win, Sheedy was pleased with how the game looked.

“We focused on some key elements of our game and went in with a pretty clear plan on what it needed to look like and played some good front half footy, and I think right from the first bounce gave ourselves a chance to get the game on our terms.”

“South were really good early; they tested us and I felt like we kicked a couple early on the back of them having some dominance and set the game up from there.”

Tall forward Jackson Callow was named best afield for Norwood, and Sheedy was glowing in his praise of Callow’s efforts in the forward line.

“We know how good Jacko can be. He had 17 touches and eight shots on goal and kicked 3.3 but he was really dominant in the air as well.”

“When he’s clunking them like that and giving us a chance to set up behind the ball or retain some ball inside our forward 50 is a really big positive.”

Sheedy was also impressed with fourth-gamer Jacob Newton, who provided a spark inside 50 with three goals for the afternoon.

“Jacob is playing pretty tall for us at the moment, considering he is probably just on six foot, but has really explosive power and is really tough in the air and can take a good contested mark and is also really good at ground level.”

Finn Heard was another player who caught Sheedy’s eye with his performance in the ruck against in-form South ruckman Olivier Northam.

“He has been excellent. He covers the ground well, he’s really good around contest and wins a lot of ground balls for us and also can catch it around the ground, so a very dynamic player in more than one way and he’s been huge the last three weeks.”

After a wretched run with injury to start the season, Norwood are starting to regain some key players, with Sheedy optimistic that ruckman Luke Surman and midfielder Baynen Lowe could be available for Norwood’s next game against Central District.

“We are hopeful Luke (Surman) will be there for Central or West the week after, and Baynen Lowe should be available for Central, so that’s a great story.”

“Lowey injured his shoulder over training for Freo trying to get an SSP spot, and he’s been excellent the way he’s been around the group and teaching the group. He has got a high footy IQ and been great for our young kids, and the due diligence he’s put in around his rehab has got him to a point where he can train with us for the next couple of weeks and be ready for Central, which is probably three weeks ahead of schedule, so we’re looking forward to that.”

Norwood have a bye this weekend as the competition pauses for the SANFL v WAFL state game, with the Redlegs’ next playing Central District on Friday, 23 May at Coopers Stadium.

By Jordan Routley NFC