Norwood claim Reserves Premiership

NORWOOD broke a 21-year premiership drought with a comfortable 19-point win against Woodville-West Torrens in the 2019 Reserves Grand Final at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.

Draft prospect Cameron Taheny booted four goals, while Cody Szust and Lachlan Pascoe each kicked three.

The Legs conceded the first two goals of the contest, as Harris Morgan found space inside 50 to kick two goals within the opening minutes.

The Legs replied through two goals from Taheny to trail the Eagles by seven-points at the first break.

Norwood then rallied in the second term managing to pile on four goals and keeping the Eagles goalless to set up a handy 15-point lead at the main break.

Emerging talents Dylan Stephens and Jed Spence started to find the football, as dominant forward Luke Surman started to stamp his authority on the contest.

Despite Morgan registering his third of the contest early in the third, Norwood continued to fight and responded well as key forward Pascoe booted his first of the contest, before former Panther Szust popped up to stretch the margin to 26-points midway through the final term.

With one quarter left, Norwood continued to pressure opposition as Norwood’s forward line had plenty of supply through it’s hardworking midfielders.

Szust had his second with the opening 28 seconds before Taheny marked strongly from 35 metres out to kick to his fourth goal of the game.

Despite conceding the last three goals of the term, Norwood held on to win their first Reserves flag since 1998.

Norwood captain Mac Bower was important in defence with several intercept marks while Cam Taheny made the most of his opportunities to kick a defining four-goal haul.

Reserves Magarey Medallist Spence topped off a fantastic season with a team-high 27 disposals, while Stephens collected 26 touches.

SCOREBOARD:

NORWOOD  2.1  6.2  9.4  13.5 (83)
EAGLES  3.2  3.5  5.8  9.10 (64)

LEADING DISPOSALS
Norwood: Spence 27, Stephens 26, Surman 21, Pedro 19, Ball, Szust 17, Bower, Coles 16.

GOALS
Norwood: Taheny 4, Pascoe, Szust 3, Charlton, Coles, Pedro.

BOB LEE MEDAL – Luke Surman (Norwood)