NFC Match Report Round 9

NORWOOD has clinched a vital two-point win against South Adelaide on Queen’s Birthday Monday.

Despite being three rotations down heading into the last term with Captain Jace Bode ruled out for the match with an ankle injury, Ed Smart (Hamstring) and Mitch Grigg (Back Spasms) the Redlegs managed to hold on to win their fourth game this season by under 10-points.

After Grigg kicked a rather fortunate goal with the final kick of the first term, South kicked into gear in the second term with Dual Magarey Medallist Joel Cross setting a high standard booting three goals to help give the Panthers a 15-point lead at the main break.

The Panthers were in control of the contest; however, it was an unlikely source in Mitch Wilkins who gave the Redlegs the perfect start to the Premiership quarter.

Midway through the third term, the Redlegs got into a rhythm with Dom Barry and Lewis Johnston having an influence pushing the side into attack.

The Redlegs bagged four of the final five goals for the third term and when they added the first two of the final quarter, their lead had exploded to 27 points.

With several sore bodies on the ground and down three rotations, the Redlegs continued to fight to give their all to salvage the result.

After Peter Bampton marked truly from 40 metres out, he soaked up the valuable seconds on offer only to hook the ball to register a behind.

The Panthers, however, weren’t to be denied as Ben Heaslip brought the home fans to life kicking truly to put South two-points behind to make it a see-sawing final three minutes of play.

South’s Abe Davis had two inside 50’s in the final minutes to give his side the chance to win, however, it was former North Melbourne midfielder Brad McKenzie who was the man of the moment with two vital intercept marks to give the Norwood faithful a happy trip home from Noarlunga.

Lewis Johnston was again influential collecting 30 disposals and a game-high 13 marks, while Cameron Shenton was important for the visitors with his versatility and ability to hit the scoreboard.

Brady Dawe was fittingly cheered off the ground after playing his 200^th game of SANFL. Members of Meadows FC were at South Adelaide to cheer on Brady along with several past players.

The Redlegs now turn their attention to Sunday afternoon when they face Port Adelaide at Alberton Oval from 2:40pm.

SCOREBOARD:

NORWOOD 4.1 5.3 12.7 14.9 (93)

SOUTH ADELAIDE 3.3 7.6 9.10 13.13 (91)

BEST – Gerloff, Grigg, Georgiou, Johnston, Shenton, McKenzie

GOALS – Grigg, Barry, Johnston, Shenton, Gerloff 2, Szust, Bampton, Wilson, Wilkins.

INJURIES –  Bode (ankle), Smart (hamstring), Grigg (back).