NFC Match Report – Round 18

NORWOOD will play finals football in 2019 after defeating West Adelaide by 18-points at City Mazda Stadium on Friday night.

Needing a win to ensure they would appear in the major round, the Redlegs bolted out of the blocks with an eye-catching eight-goal first term.

After a rather disappointing loss at the hands of Centrals a fortnight ago, the Redlegs looked determined to bounce back as they moved the ball with precision and executed their chances.

Promising duo Cole Gerloff and Dylan Stephens started the charge with five goals between them, while Anthony Wilson and Mitch Grigg found plenty of space to capitalize on their opportunities.

The Legs looked somewhat irresistible in the opening 20 minutes as they looked to take some meaningful form into next weeks elimination final.

After quarter time the Redlegs managed 2.7 as Gavin Colville’s West Adelaide outfit restricted Norwood’s swift ball movement and ability to generate inside 50 entries.

In what turned out to be a rather scrappy affair, West Adelaide managed to kick the only two goals of the second quarter to cut the margin to 20-points heading into the main break.

Jarrod Cotton’s men came out of the blocks early in the third term, as Peter Bampton executed truly to bring the Norwood fans to life.

Norwood had chances to put the game beyond doubt yet struggled to execute their set shots.

West Adelaide continued to fight, however, proved to be inaccurate in front of goal missing five chances in a row to get back into the contest.

Despite Norwood absorbing plenty of pressure, third gamer Cam Ball marked strongly for Norwood from 45 metres out to kick his first league goal towards the end of the final term.

Promising youngster Riley Thilthorpe gave the West Adelaide supporters something to cheer about late as he nailed the toughest shot of the night with a perfectly executed check side kick from the boundary line.

Lewis Johnston again found plenty of the ball collecting 29 disposals and 12 marks, while Stephens was again impressive finishing with 22 disposals and two goals.

The Legs will now face the Double Blues in a cutthroat Elimination Final on Saturday at Adelaide Oval from 3:20pm.

SCOREBOARD:

NORWOOD: 8.1 8.3 9.6 10.8 (68)

WEST: 2.2 4.7 5.9 6.14 (50)

GOALS:

Gerloff 3, Stephens 2, Ball, Grigg, Bampton, Hamilton, Wilson

BEST:

Stephens, Shenton, Ball, Panos, Johnston

The Norwood Football Club Reserves also clinched the minor Premiership over the weekend after a 23-point against West Adelaide. Gavin Hughes’ men will now have the week off, before facing the winner of Sturt and the Eagles who feature in the Qualifying Final.

Reserves: Norwood vs West – City Mazda Stadium / Friday August 23

NORWOOD: 4.1 8.4 11.8 13.10 (88)

WEST: 1.0 4.2 6.4 10.5 (65)

GOALKICKERS: S. Barnett 4, L. Pascoe 3, M. Bower 2, C.Hay, C. Szust, D.Johnston, C.Taheny

BEST: L. Surman, I. Saywell, J. Spence, S. Barnett, N. Pedro, T. Martin

Under 18s: Norwood vs West – Coopers Stadium / Saturday August 24

NORWOOD: 3.4 5.8 6.12 7.16 (58)

WEST: 2.2 4.4 9.8 11.9 (75)

GOALKICKERS: T. Binder 3, X. Tranfa 2, S. Duke, S. Lanzoni

BEST: D. Fairbrother, A. Lake , X. Tranfa