Flashback to 1975 – Round 2

After a sizable loss in Round 1 at the hands of Glenelg in John Wynne’s 100th game, Norwood headed to Football Park on April 12 1975 to take on Sturt in Round 2.

The Redlegs were hoping for an improved effort from the Round 1 20.19-139 to 8.15-63 loss, but the 1974 Reigning Premier Double Blues had other ideas, coming out all guns blazing in the first term.

Norwood was on the back foot from the start as 11,334 people packed into Footy Park as Sturt kicked 8.2-50 to Norwood’s 1.4-10 in the opening term to take an imposing 40-point lead into quarter time.

The Redlegs responded in the second term, booting five goals to two to get themselves back in the hunt at the halfway point.

Norwood trailed 10.4-64 to 6.12-48 at half time, and would have been in front if poor kicking hadn’t been a factor. The Redlegs had four more scoring shots, but found themselves 16 points behind.

Both sides managed three goals apiece in the third term, but again the Redlegs kicking let them down as both Norwood and Sturt booted 3.5 for the quarter. This suited the Double Blues who maintained their 16-point buffer.

The Redlegs continued to shoot themselves in the foot, kicking another 4.6 in the final quarter to Sturt’s 4.4, which meant the Double Blues ran out 17.13-115 to 13.23-101 winners in Round 2.

Young Neil Craig booted four goals for the Redlegs, while Pettingill and Nicholson kicked two each. It was singles to Woodcock, Gallagher, Dillon, Roberts and Taylor.

Norwood after two rounds of the 1975 season sit ninth on the ladder at 0-2, but will enjoy its first home match of the season in Round 3 against Woodville, who struggled throughout the previous 1974 season.

Each week the club will be reliving the 1975 season, on the way to the 50-year reunion of this breakthrough 1975 Premiership of the Norwood Football Club.