NFC Match Report – Round 3

NFC Round Three

Round 3 – Coopers Stadium – 12^th April 2019
Norwood: 1.5 1.9 5.9 8.10 (58)
Sturt: 1.5 2.10 5.15 6.17 (53)
Goals: Smart 3, Shenton 2, Abbott, Bampton Barry
Best:
Injuries: Szust (Knock)

NORWOOD has recoded it’s third win in a row after defeating Sturt by five-points in a thrilling clash at the Parade on Friday night.

In what was a milestone match for midfield pair Lewis Johnston and Matthew Panos, Norwood led by as much a 13-points ten minutes into the final term.

Sturt came to the Parade with a plan to hold Norwood accountable, moving the ball forward to generate inside 50 entries. In what was generally a new look forward line with the absence of forward duo Brady Dawe and Luke Surman, the Redlegs fought admirably with Cameron Shenton and Ed Smart booting five goals between them.

Norwood started the match as recruit Dom Barry showed his class and poise kicking a trademark running goal to give the Legs the perfect start.

Sturt’s Jace Sutcliffe kicked the only other major for the term in what was a rather lacklustre first quarter.

As Declan Hamilton kicked Norwood’s third point of the second term, Sturt would go on to register the next nine scoring shots up until the midpoint of the third term.

When Aidan Riley kicked his first of the contest, Sturt led by 17-points early in the third term.

Norwood replied instantly, as Will Abbott and Ed Smart booted their first majors of the contest to put the Redlegs within arms reach of their opponents.

Both sides traded blows as it was goal for goal throughout the back end of the Premiership quarter.

With Norwood trailing by just six heading into the final term utility Cameron Shenton gave the hosts the perfect start executing a lovely set shot to give the home side momentum.

Two goals in as many minutes to returning premiership utility Smart had the hosts in front by 13 points at the seven-minute mark of the final term, which in the contest of the dour struggle seemed a significant margin.

The Double Blues however weren’t out of the contest as Josh Hone snapped one over his shoulder to give the visitors a chance to steal it at the death.

Norwood started to maintain possession, however it was Sturt’s numbers behind the ball that had the Legs measure in returning the ball back inside 50.

Sam Baulderstone, Lewis Johnston and Alex Georgiou all took crucial marks in the final minutes to send the Norwood fans into raptures.

Panos and Johnston once again led the way for Norwood amassing the most disposals, however it was Smart and Shenton who combined well to register a big enough total to claim the two Premiership Points.

Norwood were down a rotation for parts of the match with small forward Cody Szust suffering a heavy knock early in the first term.

Norwood will now face Port Adelaide this Thursday night in the Traditional Easter Thursday clash at the Parade.