Norwood claims win in first ever U18 Girls Match

Saturday was an afternoon to celebrate at The Parade as Norwood’s inaugural U18 Girls side took to the field, on the opening day of the SANFL’s AAMI Talent League Girls competition.

The Redlegs overcame a six-point deficit at three quarter time, kicking the only two goals of the final term to secure a 6.8-44 to 5.8-38 win over Woodville-West Torrens.

Heavy rain fell throughout the weekend, but the U18 Girls had the best of the conditions, avoiding the rain which helped both sides showcase their skills.

Mia Wood was outstanding for Norwood in a best on ground effort, with 19 disposals and four clearances, while Ella Anderson had 15 disposals, three tackles and four clearances, as well as an important goal in the final term to put the Redlegs in front.

The Eagles looked more threatening in the first term, leading disposals +9, clearances +5, and inside 50m entries +6, while each team laid 21 tackles in a physical start to the match.

Holding up in defence, Norwood took 10 marks to four in the opening term, a trend that continued throughout the match as the home side finished with 37 marks to 15, despite losing the inside 50m count by 12 and clearances by 11.

Della McCracken will go down in the history books as the Redlegs first goal kicker at U18 Girls level, dribbling it through the big sticks at The Parade End late in the opening term.

McCracken’s goal at the 13-minute mark was the home side’s only major of the opening quarter, as the Eagles took a 2.2-14 to 1.1-7 lead at the first break.

Bri Arthur’s quarter time address inspired her Redlegs, who dominated the early stages of the second quarter. Norwood enjoyed repeated inside 50m entries, and spent some time in forward half for the first time of the contest.

Norwood was rewarded with the first goal of the second term, a quality set shot finish from Chelsea Marshall which brought it back to a one point game.

Wood, from local club Tea Tree Gully, was looking a class above, winning clearances, shrugging tackles and taking strong marks all around the ground.

Despite there being not too much wind to speak of, the play had favoured the northern end all day, and the Redlegs made the most of it with six scoring shots in the second term – for a wayward return of 2.4 to 0.2.

At the main break, Norwood would have been content with its position, going into the rooms leading 3.5-23 to 2.4-16.

Wood had nine touches and three clearances in the first half, while Alannah Wasylkiw had eight disposals and Anderson seven, while McCracken had kicked two of her side’s three goals – her second with the final kick of the half.

Lucy Farnsworth had 11 disposals for the Eagles, finishing the game with 19.

The play continued to be trapped down the northern end in the third term, which wasn’t good news for Norwood as the Eagles rallied and booted the first three goals within seven minutes to take a match-high 14-point lead.

The Redlegs responded with a goal through Taylah Pearson to bring her side within six points at the final break, 5.7-37 to 4.7-31.

Kicking towards the scoring end in the final term, Norwood kicked two goals to the Eagles one behind.

Pearson’s second goal levelled the scores, before Ella Anderson’s major at the 12-minute mark put Norwood in front.

The Eagles had chances to respond, but the Redlegs were able to hang on to the Round 1 victory.

It was an important win, given the lop-sided results around the league on the weekend, with Central District defeating Glenelg by 67 points, South beating North by 48, and West defeating Sturt by 25.

Norwood 1.1, 3.5, 4.7, 6.8 – 44

WWT 2.2, 2.4, 5.7, 5.8 – 38

Goals: Pearson 2, McCracken 2, Marshall, Anderson

Best: Wood, Kelly, Lihou, Anderson, Pertini