NFC Match Report – Elimination Final

NORWOOD has progressed through to the second week of finals after defeating a persistent Sturt by 14-points at Adelaide Oval.

In a rather thrilling encounter, both sides went toe to toe, leaving nothing on the park as the final siren ended.

After it took 10-minutes to register the first score of the game, it suddenly opened up as Sturt’s Mark Evans kicked the first major of the day.

The Legs responded moments after as Peter Bampton carefully executed his set shot from 40- metres before veteran Brady Dawe registered his first of the day as he soccered the ball through from point-blank range.

Jarrod Cotton’s charges could have easily led by more at the first change if not for inaccuracy, but it was the run and carry, coupled with the fine finishing, of indigenous Redlegs Dom Barry and Anthony Wilson which proved decisive.

Norwood came out firing in the second term as dual Magarey Medallist, Mitch Grigg kicked a long-range goal from 50 metres to give the Redlegs the perfect start.

Barry and Wilson then went to work as both played a pivotal role in kicking goals, whilst also turning provider on several occasions.

Wilson booted two for the term, first through a trademark foot race which he outlasted his opponent to run into an open goal, while the second was a set shot from 35-metres directly in front.

Norwood led by 36-points midway through the second term, before Sturt built some momentum piling on three unanswered goals to cut the margin to 14 at the main break.

Sturt struck the first major of the third term as James Battersby broke from stoppage to wheel around on his right to give the Double Blues the early advantage, however, Norwood responded as Brady Dawe brought down a strong chest mark to kick his second of the evening.

Both sides went end to end with the margin in Norwood’s favour only just, however, the Legs once again broke away from the Double Blues kicking four of the last five majors of the quarter, to extend the margin to 30-points at three-quarter time.

Lewis Johnston unleashed a long 55-metre goal towards the end of the term before Anthony Wilson made sure it was hard for Sturt crumbing the ball in the pocket and kicking a check side goal to bring the Norwood fans to life.

The final term once again turned into another shoot out however it was Norwood who struck first as stand-in Skipper Matthew Panos made no mistake from a set shot on an acute angle.

Sturt, however, weren’t going to let this game slip easily as they continued to prove efficient on the scoreboard as Jake Sutcliffe and Josh Hone kicked their third each to put the margin within arm’s reach.

Despite, Sturt’s continual pressure, Norwood had the answers as promising youngster Dylan Stephens accelerated away from his opponent to curl a beautiful goal from 40 metres on his left to bring the house down.

Barry capped off a fantastic game with his third goal to put the game beyond doubt and secure the Redlegs Semi-Final berth.

Barry led the way for Norwood collecting a team-high 28 disposals to go with his three goals, while Johnston continued his strong season with 28 touches, nine marks and a goal.

Youngster Cole Gerloff was again dominant with 25 disposals in the engine room, while Cam Shenton collected 22 disposals.

The Legs will now turn their attention to Sunday afternoon when they face the Crows in the first Semi-Final at Adelaide Oval from 12:15pm.

SCOREBOARD:

NORWOOD:  2.4  7.6  13.11  16.14 (110)

STURT:  2.0  5.4  9.5  15.6 (96)

GOALS:

Barry, Dawe, A. Wilson 3, Bampton 2, Grigg, Hamilton, L. Johnston, Panos, Stephens.

BEST:

Barry, Shenton, Gerloff, Baulderstone, Dawe, Smart