Match Report – Norwood snap up win at Alberton

NORWOOD has put together one of its performances of the season defeating traditional rivals Port Adelaide by 36-points at Alberton on Saturday afternoon.

The Redlegs showed plenty of spirit to overcome the loss of hamstrung skipper Matthew Nunn early in the second term to win just their 23rd match at Queen Street from 95 meetings.

Port started the match well as Norwood junior Pete Ladhams was able to get away from his opponent before snapping around on the left.

The Redlegs kicked three behinds in succession before ruck/forward Harry Boyd kicked their first.

Mitch Grigg then slotted their second before Michael Knoll nailed their third after receiving two successive 25-metre penalties and converting from the goal square.

Despite Hamish Hartlett’s goal towards the end of the first, the Redlegs held their nerve to lead by 11-points at the first break.

Port opened the scoring again in the second as Tyson Goldsack took a strong contested mark and converted.

Needing to respond the Redlegs made sure of that with two of their own before Jake kicked truly to bring the Magpies faithful into life.

Norwood would extend its lead to 19 points at the main break with Tristan Binder scoring the final goal of the term.

The Redlegs drew first blood in the third as Binder went on to kick his second before Dylan Williams and Riley Bonner kicked back-to-back goals for Port.

To the Redlegs credit, they never dropped their guard as they had an answer for almost every Magpie attack.

Binder was again in the thick of the action as he booted his third after marking strongly before impressive youngster Xavier Tranfa and the ever-hard-working Nik Rokahr extended Norwood’s margin to 24-points at the final change.

Williams drew first blood for the Magpies in the final term and missed some crucial opportunities to get themselves back into the contest.

The Redlegs however stamped their authority on the contest as wingman Brad McKenzie kicked two goals in quick succession, before Paul Puopolo and Harry Boyd all but sealed the points for the Redlegs.

The red and blue faithful were even treated to some Paul Puopolo magic as he took an absolute screamer midway through the final term.

The win builds plenty of confidence as Norwood remain in fourth spot as they look to record back to back wins this Saturday against the Eagles.

SCOREBOARD:

PORT ADELAIDE: 2.3 4.3 7.4 9.6 (60)

NORWOOD: 3.8 6.10 10.10 14.12 (96)

GOALS: Binder 3, Boyd 2, Tranfa 2, McKenzie 2, J.Richards, Knoll, Puopolo, Rokahr, Grigg

BEST: Grigg, Douglas, Knoll, Puopolo, J.Richards, Rokahr