February Football Department Update

Norwood’s General Manager of Football, Richard Kelly provides the following football department update:

The Senior Men’s program is in full flight, and the boys are looking exceptionally fit and ready for the season ahead.

New senior coach Jade Sheedy has implemented his pre-season plan, which has been a good mix of running and gym sessions, as well as game-plan and processes, match-simulation and a lot of time with footys in hand.

As we head towards the trail match phase in early March, we will continue with the conditioning, but ramp up the match-simulation and internal trials over the next couple of weeks.

We will be having an internal trial at Coopers Stadium on Thursday, February 20, so head into the club and have a look at how we are tracking. The Premiers Bar will be open for drinks and meals.

The Senior Men train on Monday, Tuesday and Thursdays, with regular Saturday sessions. On Saturday, February 1 the boys had a full-day session which included challenges, team building and a conditioning set. This was hosted at different locations around the city.

Rather than a pre-season camp this season, the Senior Men’s and Women’s sides are heading to Hobart on March 1 and 2 for a trial match against a Tasmania representative side on Sunday, March 2.

Last week the SANFL unveiled Harry Boyd’s 2024 Magarey Medal plaque on Magarey Grove which was an exciting moment for Harry and the club.

Harry’s enjoying his time at St Kilda, and it looks like he’s going well on the track. Meanwhile, we are in constant communication with Lachlan McAndrew (210cm former Sydney Swans ruck) and the Crows regarding his commitment to Norwood.

McAndrew has committed to Norwood for the SANFL season. He has been training with the Crows in recent months for an AFL list spot, following Kieran Strachan’s injury. The AFL’s SSP window closes soon, and we will have a clearer understanding of the situation from that point.

We are also continuing the negotiations with WAFL club Swan Districts regarding Nik Rokahr’s return to Norwood. Nik has already relocated back to SA, and we are fighting hard for a resolution through various avenues.

We are very happy with where the club’s list sits. We have been really impressed with new faces Mitch Nicholas, Jack Aherne, Dan Gauci and the Ling brothers, who have shown great signs so far.

It’s been great to see Luke Surman, Ethan Warburton, Ollie Sanders and Jack Saunders have full pre-seasons, they are fully fit and will all be pushing for senior selection in Round 1.

Surman is as fit as he has been in a number of season, and provides great depth for our ruck and forward stocks.

Baynen Lowe is tracking well but still recovering from his shoulder injury, while off-season surgeries for Tom Donnelly (hip) and Matt Ling (toe) are progressing well. Donnelly and Ling should be right for Round 1.

Finn Heard has returned to full training following the elbow injury he sustained in the grand final.

Norwood plays three trials, March 2 in Tasmania, March 8 against Centrals in Elizabeth and March 16 against Port Adelaide at Alberton.

Norwood Female Football Manager Kelly Rossi provides the following update on the club’s Senior Women’s program:

The Senior Women’s squad is in the midst of a grueling pre-season, which began back in November.

The players have put everything into their preparation for Round 1, embracing the challenge of tough training loads and ensuring they are in peak condition when we take on South Adelaide on March 15.

The early stages of pre-season focused heavily on endurance, strength, and conditioning, with players putting in significant hours both on the track and in the gym to build a strong physical foundation.

The squad has transitioned from heavy running and fitness loads, into internal trials and match simulation in recent weeks.

Last Friday’s internal trial match was a testament to the players’ hard work, showcasing impressive intensity, ball movement, and team cohesion.

The weekend prior they headed down to Normanville for a player-driven camp.

The camp included a solid training session at Great Southern Football League club Yankalilla, and a beach session at Normanville Beach, reinforcing both fitness and team spirit. The camp allowed the group to challenge each other, bond as a team and refine their game strategies ahead of what promises to be an exciting and competitive season.

It was announced last week the signing of Tasmania’s Ellie Poke and Broadview’s Timeka Cox, as well as the return of Georgie Jaques who spent two seasons on Port Adelaide’s AFLW list.

All three have fitted in well to the group and we are excited to see what they can do in a Norwood guernsey. Click here for the full story.

Georgie is a huge inclusion for our side, and while she played as a ruck at Norwood in 2023 (before drafted to Port), we see her playing predominantly as a defender to help bolster that line. We are also impressed by young ruck Kate Alexander and are excited by what she can continue to do in that position.

It’s also been great to see the internal growth and development of Tahlita Buethke and Lana Schwert who have taken their game to the next level, while the younger brigade of Mykaela Walker, Charli Hazelhurst and Elke Cameron have continued to improve.

We’ve been fortunate on the injury front, with both Emily Bartsch and Amelia Rusden on track to return from syndesmosis in time for the opening two rounds. Additionally, Emma Hartung has made a strong recovery from her ACL injury sustained early last year and will be available for selection.

Norwood’s first SANFLW Trial will be held on February 22 at Elizabeth’s X Convenience Oval against Central District, before a trip to Hobart for the Norwood V Tasmania trial on March 2.