Match Report – Legs defeat Traditional Rivals

NORWOOD has recorded its first win of season 2022, defeating traditional rivals Port Adelaide by 16-points at Coopers Stadium on Friday night.

The Redlegs led for the majority of the match despite being challenged by Port Adelaide throughout the third term.

Former Redleg Anthony Wilson gave Port Adelaide the perfect start inside the first minute of play before Cam Taheny kicked his first of the contest from a set shot just on 40-metres.

The Legs dominated proceedings soon after as they kicked three unanswered goals courtesy of Connor McLean, Xavier Tranfa and Nik Rokahr.

The second term began how the first ended with Norwood generating plenty of inside 50 entries through winning the contested ball.

Cam Taheny kicked a miracle goal on the goal line to grab his second, before Vice-Captain, Jacob Kennerley kicked his first to extend the margin to 32-points.

Port Adelaide who had only registered one goal at this point, found their rhythm soon after as they kicked three goals towards the end of quarter to reduce the deficit to 15-points.

Norwood knew that a fast start was needed in the third to control Port Adelaide’s momentum, and that’s what happened as Taheny kicked his third inside the first minute of play.

The Redlegs threatened to extend the lead again as Tristan Binder and Tasmanian product Baynen Lowe kicked back-to-back majors to give Norwood a handy lead midway through the Premiership quarter.

The Magpies steadied with back-to-back goals towards the end of the third term to make for an exciting final quarter of football.

When Taheny booted his fourth goal of the game in the sixth minute of the fourth term, it was always going to prove difficult for Port.

Fellow Eyre Peninsula product, Henry Nelligan iced the game in the 15^th minute of the final term with a beautifully executed set shot to put the margin beyond doubt for Port Adelaide and give Norwood their first win of the 2022 SANFL Season.

Norwood ball-winners Nik Rokahr (31 disposals), Matthew Nunn (27 disposals) and Jay Rantall (25 disposals) were all influential while Josh Richards was noticeably clean and calm with his 24 possessions while also laying eight tackles.

SCOREBOARD:

NORWOOD: 4.4 6.7 9.9 11.9 (75)

PORT ADELAIDE: 1.1 4.4 7.8 8.11 (59)

GOALS: Taheny 4, McLean, Lowe, Rokahr, Tranfa, Nelligan, Kennerley, Binder