Jay Polkinghorne takes a screamer as Norwood breaks drought in U18s

Norwood hasn’t won too many games at U18 level in 2024, but the Redlegs boys certainly know how to take a hanger.

First it was Ned Bowman in Round 3 taking a sensational grab on the wing that took the AFL world by storm, and on Saturday just gone it was Jay Polkinghorne that soared above the pack to stake his claim for mark of the year.

The wet weather didn’t stop Polkinghorne from attempting multiple speckys, before he finally reeled one in during the third quarter on Saturday.

Polkinghorne went on to kick four goals in Norwood’s 17-point win over South Adelaide at Norwood Oval.

Norwood was desperate to add a second victory to the win column in 2024, after a one point loss to Sturt in Round 11 to add to its three other losses by under 10 points this season.

The Redlegs looked the better side all day and got off to the hot start, booting four goals to one in the first term.

South Adelaide game at them hard in the second quarter with four goals, but Norwood held firm with five goals of its own, including four goals in six minutes to break out to a 30-point lead.

The Panthers steadied just before half time with two quick goals to make it a 19-point margin at the main break.

Goals to Cody Duncan and Zade Hearfield helped Norwood kick away after half time, re-instating its 30-point margin.

South forward Jake Agnew kicked one of his four goals at a vital time to keep the door ajar for his side, before Ryan Penna ensured the five-goal margin remained at the final break.

Keen to snap the losing streak, Norwood would have been nervous when South kicked the first three goals of the final quarter to reduce the Redlegs lead to 11 points with 10 minutes on the clock.

But, of course it was Polkinghorne’s day, with the key forward stepping up again to mark and nail a clutch 50m goal in the wet to seal the deal for the Redlegs.

Polkinghorne finished with four goals, 16 disposals, five marks and five tackles on a tough day to be a tall forward.

Tom Hill had 23 disposals, Jeff Rozenbilds 23 disposals four clearances and five tackles.

Jake Hill loved the wet conditions and collected 22 touches, and 10 clearances, while Jim Kelly had 19 disposals.

Cody Duncan finished with three goals, and Penna two.

The Redlegs would be relieved to get a second win on the board in 2024, and have another win-able match against the bottom placed West Adelaide at Hisense Stadium this Saturday.

Norwood 4.0, 9.2, 12.4, 13.5 – 83

South Adelaide 1.5, 5.7, 6.10, 9.12 – 66

Goals: Polkinghorne 4, Duncan 3, Penna 2, Hearfield, Kirchhofer, Pugsley

Best: Polkinghorne, J. Hill, T. Hill, Rozenbilds, Kelly

Norwood’s U16s had another challenging day, as South Adelaide ran away with an 83-point win at Norwood Oval. 

The Redlegs booted just the two goals, while the Panthers nailed 14 of their own in a 14.14-98 to 2.3-15.

Both of Norwood’s goals came in the second half, off the boot of Kai Ivins and Thomas Neal.

James Annese had 21 disposals for the Redlegs, while Neal finished with 21 disposals, four tackles and a goal.

The Redlegs have their best chance to find an allusive first win of the season, next Saturday against the seventh placed West Adelaide.

Norwood 0.0, 0.1, 1.2, 2.3 – 15

South Adelaide 4.0, 6.4, 9.8, 14.14 – 98

Goals: Ivins, Neal

Best: Annese, Altamura, Ivins, Gaunt, Dimasi