Match Report – Panthers edge out Legs by six-points

NORWOOD has fallen to their second loss in a row after they were edged out by six points against South Adelaide on Saturday afternoon.

The Redlegs led by as much as 18 points amid challenging conditions at the main change, before the Panthers dug deep to kick 5.5 to 1.5 in the second half to secure victory at Woods Street for the first time since Round 4, 2017.

The Panthers started the match on top, as 2021 Magarey Medallist, Bryce Gibbs booted the first goal of the contest inside the first two minutes.

Norwood responded three minutes later, as Harry Boyd was awarded a freekick for a push directly in front from 35-metres. Boyd made no mistake to register the Redlegs first of the contest.

It was goal for goal throughout the first term as Tom Wagner, Henry Nelligan and Tom Donnelly all hit the scoreboard as Norwood led at the first break by five points.

The second term belonged to the Redlegs as their pressure and ability to win the contest saw them accumulate several inside 50 entries.

Goal sneak Tom Wagner booted his second of the day inside the first ten minutes before Josh Richards struck just on 18 minutes to extend Norwood’s lead.

As the rain came down early in the third term, the conditions proved tough for both sides to gain scoreboard ascendancy.

It was South Adelaide’s Luke Bogle who managed to kick the first goal of the quarter before Damon Freitag kicked the visitor’s second 10 minutes later.

The Redlegs had their chances, however proved wasteful allowing South Adelaide back into the contest.

Panthers goalsneak Menzie made the most of a free kick to nail his set shot and reduce the deficit to just one point, six minutes into the final term.

It took another 10 minutes for the next major to be scored by Panther Kim Kantilla.

Once his teammate Luke Bogle snapped truly in traffic a minute later, the visitors looked all but home.

But after Josh Richards kicked his pressure set shot during time-on, South was forced to defend grimly in the dying stages.

Despite Norwood’s willingness to move the ball quickly to find a mark, the Panthers held on and took all two points on offer.

Norwood skipper Matthew Nunn showed tremendous spirit with 31 disposals, 12 tackles and seven clearances while Harry Boyd had another strong game in the ruck with 21 disposals, eight clearances and a goal.

The Redlegs will look to freshen up with the upcoming bye this weekend before they face Central District on the 20^th of May.

SCOREBOARD:

NORWOOD: 4.2 6.4 6.8 7.9 (51)

SOUTH ADELAIDE: 3.3 3.4 5.6 8.9 (57)

GOALS: Wagner 2, Richards 2, Boyd, Nelligan, Donnelly

BEST: Boyd, Kennerley, Lowe, Morris, Richards