NFC Match Report – Round 15

NORWOOD has recorded back to back wins for the first time since Round Nine after defeating reigning premiers North Adelaide by 71-points at the Parade.

Coming off a morale-boosting win against South Adelaide in Round 14, the Redlegs went on a similar rampage in the third term as it did in the fourth term against the Panthers.

The Legs gained control of the contest early booting the first two goals, while the Roosters were wasteful in the opening stanza booting 0.5.

Back to back goals gave the Legs the perfect start to the second term as Peter Bampton registered his first, while Anthony Wilson had a third goal to his name less than four minutes into the second quarter.

The Roosters weren’t out of the contest despite Norwood’s early dominance as Billy Laurie and Frank Szekely kicked the visitors first two goals within a minute.

Dom Barry kicked a trademark goal from the pocket to lift the Norwood crowd midway through the second term before Bampton made no mistake from an acute angle to give the Legs some much-needed breathing space.

In just 96 seconds after the main break, Matt Panos got things rolling with the first goal of the third term en route to kicking three during the devastating period, while Wilson booted two of his fist full as the red-and-blue avalanche overwhelmed the visitors.

Dual Magarey Medallist Mitch Grigg then latched onto a pass from Cole Gerloff and made no mistake kicking the Legs fifth for the quarter.

Tough Defender Alex Georgiou replicated his goalkicking feats in Round Five against North Adelaide booting his second major of the year against the same opposition, this time unleashing a goal from 45 metres to bring the house down at the Parade.

The Legs dominated the final quarter piling on another six goals to come away with a much needed 71-point win.

Redlegs ruck Sam Baulderstone produced a monster performance with 27 possessions, 10 marks, six clearances and 33 hit outs.

Panos was back to his best booting five goals and collecting 23 disposals, while Lewis Johnston had a game-high 31 disposals and seven marks.

The emergence of youngsters Cole Gerloff and Dylan Stephens, who gathered 26 touches each, continues to take the pressure of dual Magarey Medallist Mitch Grigg, who had 24 and a goal.

The Legs now have a bye and will look to record their third win in a row when they face the Double Blues at Unley on the 11^th of August at 1:40pm.

SCOREBOARD:

NORWOOD: 2.0 7.5 16.10 22.11 (143)

NORTH: 0.5 4.9 6.10 10.12 (72)

Goals:

Panos 5, Wilson 5, Bampton 2, Barry 2, Gerloff 2, Nunn 2, Georgiou, J.Richards, Grigg, Stephens

Best:

Baulderstone, Panos, Hamilton, Wilson, Gerloff, Shenton, Johnston, Georgiou