Bloods too strong for Norwood juniors

Norwood’s U18s hosted West Adelaide at Norwood Oval on Saturday, with the visiting Bloods coming away with a 39-point win.

The Redlegs started well, kicking three goals in the opening term as Westies squandered multiple opportunities down the other end to lead 3.1-19 to 1.7-13 at the first break.

On a perfect day for football there was no excuse for poor goal kicking, and the Bloods kicked into gear in the second term, booting 5.2 to Norwood’s 0.1 in a dominant quarter.

Westies led by 25 points at the main break, 6.9-45 to 3.2-20, and Norwood started the second half brightly.

The Redlegs kicked the first goal of the half through Micah Kretschmer to get the margin back to 19 points, but it would be the Bloods day who nailed the next three unanswered goals from six straight scoring shots to put the game out of reach, 40 points ahead.

It was three goals apiece in the final term, with the Bloods again inaccurate in front of goal, but in the end West Adelaide ran out winners 12.19-91 to 8.4-52.

Robert Varcoe was Norwood’s best, with three goals from 16 disposals, while Luke Scott was strong in defence with 36 touches and 13 marks.

Kretschmer had 30 disposals, five clearances and seven tackles. Ashton Hartwig had 24 touches, and captain Darcy Speyer 20.

James van Wyk had a strong day in the ruck with 28 hitouts and 20 disposals.

Norwood 3.1, 3.2, 5.3, 8.4 – 52

West Adelaide 1.7, 6.9, 9.14, 12.19 – 91

Goals: Varcoe 3, Grigg, Jacob, Kretschmer, Rajput, Wilson

Best: Varcoe, Scott, van Wyk, Kretschmer, Mozer-Bruyns

Norwood defender Thomas Gribben was unbelievable in the U16s on Saturday, gathering 42 disposals in a big loss to West Adelaide at Norwood Oval.

Gribben – who has been selected in the State U16 squad – has had some strong performances for the Redlegs in 2025, culminating in an outstanding performance in Round 9.

Off half back, Gribben gathered 42 disposals, 30 kicks, 16 marks, six tackles, five clearances, six hitouts and a goal in an effort that amassed 202 ranking points.

He was a shining light in an otherwise tough day against the Bloods, who registered a 78-point win, 18.5-113 to 4.11-35.

Mason Tambe was also very good for the Redlegs with 34 disposals, eight marks and a goal.

West Adelaide’s Laurence Andriani also had a big day with 41 touches.

The Bloods set the tone early with seven goals in the opening term, and from there Norwood was playing catch up.

The Redlegs stemmed the flow in the second term, allowing just two goals, before the Bloods ramped it up after half time with another nine goals in the second half.

Norwood 1.3, 2.7, 2.11, 4.11 – 35

West Adelaide 7.0, 9.3, 14.5, 18.5 – 113

Goals: Nak, Gribben, Lemmer, Tambe

Best: Gribben, Tambe, Nak, Gaunt, Fraser