Underage Match Reports – Round 1

Well Season 2022 started with a trip to Hisense Stadium to take on West Adelaide. Our final 22 picked for this game was the first time many had played together, so allowing the players to understand each-others game was going to be the challenging factor. 

As with all clubs, due to COVID and school sport we had players missing, but also provided us with an opportunity to allow other players to stand up.

The first quarter started pretty evenly and West controlled the game. We were a little slow on our structures and took our time in setting up. This showed on the scoreboard as we were 12-points down at the first break. 

In the second quarter, West started strongly again kicking one early. I felt halfway through the quarter we started to gain some control all over the ground, which gave us some momentum going into half time.

In the second half this continued and although we gave up a couple of easy goals, we were able to put four goals on the board. This allowed us to be in striking distance at three quarter time.

West Adelaide kicked the first major in the last quarter, but to our boys credit we stuck at it and got the job done with another four goals in the last quarter. There is plenty of room for improvement as we never felt we played close to our potential, but the character the boys showed to find a way to win was outstanding.

We have a bigger challenge next week in the Bays.

UNDER 16s SCOREBOARD:

WEST ADELAIDE: 3.3 5.6 7.10 9.14 (68)

NORWOOD: 1.3 3.5 7.9 11.9 (75)

GOALS: Jake Martin 5, Harry Lake 3, Jay Polkinghorne 2, Jack Michalanney 1

BEST: Jeff Rozenbilds, Jacob Newton, Noah Daw, Jake Martin, Will Prescott

The season opener proved to be a hard-fought contest between Norwood and West Adelaide. With a lot of talent on both sides and strong key forwards up both ends of the ground, it was a high level of competition throughout the day. As my first game as Head Coach of Norwood U18s I was proud of the way our Norwood boys competed throughout.

We got off to a good start, kicking 3.2 in the first quarter while we kept the Bloods to 1.4. Our pressure on the ball and ability to use the hands to create overlap run were a strength early in the game. Two late goals in the second quarter, including one from beyond 50 by Pheonix Forster after the siren, gave us a 18-point lead going into half time. West took advantage of a sloppy start to the second half and kicked 5.1 to our 1.1 in the third quarter. A further six goal to three in the final quarter sealed the game for West Adelaide.

While under a lot of pressure throughout the day Norwood’s defence stood strong. This was led by Max Michalanney, 24 disposals, 4 Marks, and Calam Krollig, 20 disposals, 5 marks. Michalanney’s run from the back line was a large influence in Norwood winning the rebound 50s by 13 on the day. Up forward, Pheonix Foster was a big target, taking 6 marks and kicking 4.2.

There were a lot of positives and learning to take from the game. When we played our Norwood brand of football, we looked very dangerous and hit the scoreboard well. We will continue to build towards four quarters of Norwood Football.

Well done to West Adelaide on a good game of football.

UNDER 18s SCOREBOARD:

WEST ADELAIDE: 1.4 3.10 8.11 14.12 (96)

NORWOOD: 3.2 7.4 8.5 11.7 (73)

GOALS: Foster 4, Pratt 2, Rachwal 2, Cristanig, Pedlar, Jones

BEST: Max Michalanney, Phoenix Foster, Calam Krollig, Tyson Pratt, Noah Hyde