Match Report – Redlegs run down the Blues at The Parade

NORWOOD has recorded back-to-back wins following an impressive 26-point victory over Sturt at Coopers Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The result was set up with a three-goal-to-one third term, which was enough to keep the Double Blues at bay.

Two goals each to Ben Jarvis, Connor McLean and Harry Boyd left the final score at 11.10 (76) to 7.8 (56).

In what was a relatively tight and contested start to the game it was Sturt who kicked the first goal of the game through a lovely set shot from Josh Rentsch.

The Legs replied 10 minutes later, as in form forward Connor McLean made no mistake from a well-rehearsed set shot from an acute angle.

Norwood’s midfield started to control proceedings as they worked the ball through the corridor as Xavier Tranfa found the dynamic Ben Jarvis from 40-metres out. Jarvis nursed through his first of the game as the Redlegs held an eight-point buffer at the quarter-time break.

It took seven minutes into the second term for Ben Jarvis to again make his presence felt when he again marked strongly from 35-metres out. Jarvis had his second before Mitch Cotter challenged Matthew Panos for the goal of the day title, sidestepping multiple Sturt players to snap a magnificent goal and extend his sides lead.

It was then goal for goal as Rentsch booted his second of the contest before hard-running midfielder Jacob Kennerley was on the end of a Tranfa handball which he was able to snap truly to extend the Redlegs lead.

Despite Sturt again responding four minutes later via James Richards, McLean was again at the fall of the ball when he marked on a tight angle from 25 metres out in the pocket. McLean again showed his class as Norwood led the visitors by 20-points at the main break.

The Redlegs were relentless in the third term, despite the Double Blues kicking the first major of the term.

The classy Matthew Panos kicked arguably the goal of the day as he faked his shot to draw a defender and kick a clutch goal early in the third term.

The Redlegs were winning the clearances and the tackles and Sturt struggled to keep up, despite Norwood missing some straightforward chances.

Josh Richards was on the receiving end of a 50-metre penalty before Harry Boyd made no mistake from his set shot from 35-metres directly in front.

The Redlegs smelt blood early in the fourth term as Harry Boyd kicked his second major, however, Sturt started to gain some ascendancy with their ability to win the ball from the contest and generate inside 50 entries.

The Double Blues booted back-to-back goals before Henry Nelligan all but sealed the result as a unselfish Connor McLean handballed over the top to see the youngster stroll in and kick his first and Norwood’s last of the game.

The Redlegs defence was a class above all day including a save of the day spoil from Tom Donnelly going back with the flight which brought the crowd into life.

Ultra-consistent Norwood trio Nik Rokahr (29 disposals), Declan Hamilton and Matthew Nunn (25 disposals each) were influential in their team’s sixth win of the year.

Emerging Redlegs recruit Nick Lowden was awarded the Coles Value Player for his 20 disposals, eight tackles and seven clearances.

SCOREBOARD:

NORWOOD:  2.2 6.4 9.9 11.10 (76)

STURT: 1.0 3.2 4.4 7.8 (50)

GOALS: Jarvis 2, McLean 2, Boyd 2, Panos, Richards, Nelligan, Cotter, Kennerley

BEST: Lowden, Boyd, Heard, Seymour, Jarvis, Ball