NFC Match Report – Round 14

NORWOOD has kept its finals hopes alive after a commanding 45-point win against South Adelaide at the Parade on Saturday.

The Redlegs snatched fifth-place from the Panthers with a commanding fourth-quarter performance which yielded seven goals to one kicking with the aid of a strong breeze to the southern end of Woods Street.

Leading by just seven points at the final change, Jarrod Cotton’s men put on a confidence-boosting display after what has been a tough month of football.

After a tight opening three quarters, Norwood was lucky to only find themselves 10-points down at quarter-time after South proved wasteful in front of goal booting 3.6 for the quarter.

Midfielder Matthew Nunn set the tone for the Redlegs early in the second, after finishing off a lovely piece of work on the run from 40 metres out.

The Legs started to gain territory which saw the ball in their forward half for the majority of the term. Nunn was at it again 10 minutes later with another trademark running goal which brought the Norwood faithful into life.

The Legs piled on the final four goals of the quarter to stretch the margin to 16-points at the main break.

Peter Bampton gave the Redlegs the perfect start to the third term, marking strongly and kicking truly from 30 to steer Norwood into a 22-point lead.

The third term was very contested with neither side able to hit the scoreboard.

South star Joel Cross responded for the visitors unleashing from 50 to cut the margin back to 13-points.

Norwood still had majority of control, however missed targets which didn’t allow them to hit the scoreboard.

Fortunately for South after absorbing several Norwood attacks, they found a goal against the run of play courtesy of Liam Fitt.

With all to play for in the final term, it was Norwood who completed the match in style booting seven final term goals.

Within 60 seconds Nunn stretched the margin to 21 when he streaked out of the centre square to take a bounce and goal on the run from 40m.

The Legs then continued to outclass their opposition as Dylan Stephens kicked goal of the day, after putting the afterburners on from the centre square to stroll in from 30 metres.

Nunn was tremendous for Norwood booting four goals for the match-three before half-time – while also finishing with 27 disposals and nine tackles.

Lewis Johnston collected 34 disposals while Matthew Panos collected 27 touches and laid seven tackles.

On debut, youngster Cam Ball didn’t look out of place putting in a solid shift collecting 15 disposals across half-back.

The Legs will look to build on this performance when they face North Adelaide this Sunday at the Parade from 2:10pm.

SCOREBOARD:

NORWOOD: 2.2 7.5 8.7 15.3 (103)

SOUTH: 3.6 4.7 6.12 7.16 (58)

Goals:

Nunn 4, Bampton 2, Barry 2, Stephens 2, Dawe, Gerloff, Hamilton, Johnston, Panos

Best:

Nunn, Shenton, Panos, Johnston, Baulderstone, Georgiou, Z.Richards