Match Preview: Glenelg vs Norwood

Glenelg is thriving on its winning culture. The Tigers lifted to the challenge again when South closed within five points with five minutes to go at the Bay, inspirational midfielder Matthew Snook and hard-running left-footer Luke Reynolds booting the last two goals of the game.

This side continues to answer every challenge and keeps creating its own history in the club’s historic centenary year, now it faces another test in regaining its momentum from the covid-induced two-week break.

And it’s not just the challenge of the disruption to the season, the team the Tigers face is the one that’s come closest to beating them.

In Round 9 Brett Hand’s men trailed the rampant Redlegs by 47 points early in the third quarter but stormed over the top to snatch the lead by the 12-minute-mark of the last term.

Even more impressive than their eight-goal barrage was the way they held on to win by a point as Norwood threw everything it had at them.

If the Legs can replicate their desperation and apply as much pressure – they had 113 tackles to Glenelg’s 87 – while also providing a similar number of chances – they had 52 inside-50s to the Tigers’ 40 – this will be a ripping return for SANFL footy.

The fifth-placed Redlegs are just one win ahead of sixth side Port but they still are level with third side North on eight wins – that’s how close it is.

And they were close for much of their last game against the Eagles, leading into time-on of the third quarter only for the reigning premiers to bang on four goals in five minutes and take the game away from them.

Mitch Grigg led the way with nine clearances and 29 disposals, while Nik Rokahr was performing strongly when the season took an unexpected break. Norwood has tended to be on-again, off-again this season. It needs to be on-again right now.