Close loss costs Redlegs U16s fourth place

It was just five points separating Norwood and West Adelaide at the final siren of the U16s at Richmond Oval on Saturday, but it was the Bloods that came away with the crucial win, sending the Redlegs hurtling down the ladder.

Had Norwood been successful, it would have sat inside the top four with two matches to play. Instead, the Redlegs have ended up in seventh (on percentage) in what is an incredibly tight competition.

Glenelg and Sturt sit fourth in fifth with a 7-1-7 record, with South Adelaide and Norwood sixth and seventh with 7-8 ledgers. The Redlegs face the Panthers and Roosters in the two remaining  games as they try to clinch their first finals finish since 2019.

On Saturday, the Redlegs started like a house on fire, kicking six goals to three in the opening term.

Norwood was held to just one goal across the second and third terms, as the Bloods kicked six goals of their own to take the ascendency.

Westies kicked the first two of the last term and led by a match high 29 points, before the Redlegs came storming home.

The visitors kicked the next four goals within 10 minutes to make for a thrilling finale.

Calvin Jones kicked a steadier for Westies, before Josh Lemmer kicked his third for Norwood with four minutes remaining.

In the end, the Bloods were able to hang onto the five-point 12.8-80 to 12.3-75 win.

U16 State representative Thomas Gribben was outstanding for Norwood with 33 disposals, 11 marks and two goals. Mason Tambe was also strong in defence with 30 disposals and 14 marks.

It was a tough afternoon for the Redlegs in the U18s, who were no match for the second placed West Adelaide, going down by 126 points.

U16

Norwood 6.1, 6.2, 7.3, 12.3 – 75

West Adelaide 3.1, 5.6, 9.8, 12.8 – 80

Goals: Lemmer 3, Gribben 2, Mills 2, Nak 2, Thomson 2, Sayer

Best: Jy Hazelhurst, Thomas Gribben, Mason Tambe, Joshua Lemmer, Joseph Nak

U18

Norwood 0.0, 0.1, 1.2, 2.2 – 14

West Adelaide 5.3, 11.4, 17.7, 22.8 – 140

Goals: Buckley, Johnston

Best: Darcy Speyer, Levi Johnston, Luke Scott, Cooper Burrows, Daun Lee