Memorable win keeps Finals hopes alive for Reserves

It was a win to remember for Norwood’s Reserves on Saturday.

In memory of current teammate Nick Lowden – who passed away on August 3 – the Reserves side overcame a physical South Adelaide side to claim a 26-point win and keep its finals hopes alive.

The lead changed eight times throughout the match, and the Redlegs trailed by one point at three quarter time before a four-goal final term helped Norwood to a 11.10-76 to 7.8-50 win.

2022 SANFL Premiership player Henry Nelligan played his first game for the club this season – after spending time travelling overseas – had 27 disposals, seven tackles and six clearances.

Luke Bogle had 20 disposals, six clearances and a goal, while Finn Heard, Taaj Nicholls, Izaak Twelftree and Nick Weightman each kicked two goals.

Norwood had the better of the first term, leading by 12 points at the first break, before South regained the lead early in the second quarter.

The margin didn’t grow past seven points either way in a sea-sawing, tense, physical second and third quarters, before Norwood ran away with it in the fourth term with goals to Nicholls, Bogle, Twelftree and Weightman to take a memorable 26-point win.

Young ruckman Alex van Wyk – who has been in outstanding form over the past six weeks – had 27 hitouts, 13 disposals and seven tackles.

The Reserves remain Norwood’s only Finals hope in Season 2023.

They currently sit sixth with two games remaining against West Adelaide (seventh) and Central District (third).

Woodville-West Torrens sit fifth with a win-loss record of 7-9 and 47.74%, while Norwood is 6-10 and 46.75% with two big Away games to close out the season in Richmond and Elizabeth.

The Eagles – who are the only team that can potentially drop out of the top five for Norwood – take on Glenelg (first) and West Adelaide (seventh) in the final two matches of the season.

Norwood 4.1, 5.4, 7.6, 11.10 – 76

South Adelaide 2.1, 5.3, 7.7, 7.8 – 50

Best: Nelligan, F. Heard, Warburton, van Wyk, Nicholls

Goals: F. Heard 2, Nicholls 2, Twelftree 2, Weightman 2, Bogle, Robinson, Walls