Norwood climb into top two with win over North

Norwood moved to second on the SANFL Men’s ladder following a 69-point victory over North Adelaide at Prospect on Saturday, making it five consecutive wins.

The Redlegs 18.9-117 to 7.6-48 victory over the Roosters, and Glenelg’s loss to Adelaide, has meant that next Sunday’s fixture against Woodville-West Torrens at Coopers Stadium will be a top of the table clash.

Norwood put the game to bed in a dominant first half, booting 10 goals to three, to lead by 42 points at the main break.

North Adelaide looked no match for the Redlegs in the first half, who were running the Roosters into the ground.

Norwood had +41 disposals, +2 tackles, +9 clearances and +17 inside 50m entries to half time.

Tristan Binder kicked three goals in the first quarter (four in the half) to set the tone, including Norwood’s first of the afternoon, which he’s managed to do for the last five consecutive matches.

Norwood went into quarter time leading by 17 points, 4.2-26 to 1.3-9, with Finn Heard dominating in his makeshift ruck role, finding nine disposals.

It was a tough battle for the first half of the second term, as Norwood and North each found a goal through Jackson Callow and Jake Cresswell in the opening 11 minutes.

Following Cresswell’s goal, Norwood received a momentum changing 6-6-6 infringement free kick from the centre circle, and found an immediate reply with Declan Hamilton rolling it through from the pocket.

Hamilton’s was the first of five unanswered goals within 13 minutes, turning the 17-point margin into an imposing 47 points.

Charlie Dickeson kicked North’s third goal just before half time to make it a 42-point margin at the main break, 10.4-64 to 3.4-22.

Baynen Lowe had 18 disposals to half time (14 in the second quarter alone), while F. Heard, Rokahr and Kade Dittmar each had 14. Angus Schumacher had 15 for the Roosters.

Binder had four goals to half time.

Norwood started the third term nicely with goals to Connor Ling, F. Heard and Jackson Callow to make it 12 of the last 14 goals and a 60-point margin.

North showed some fight late in the third quarter, and booted four of the next five goals, returning the game to the half time margin of 42 points, with both sides managing 4.2 in the third quarter.

Norwood led 14.6-90 to 7.6-48 at the final break and the result was beyond doubt, but the Redlegs would be hoping to finish strongly before a date with the Eagles next week.

Captain Jacob Kennerley kicked his second, and Callow (who had a tough day in front of goal) kicked a third to help the Redlegs cruise home, booting four final quarter goals and holding North scoreless.

Rokahr led the way with disposals with 31, while F. Heard had 26 and Lowe 24.

Post match, Kennerley accepted the inaugural RM Williams Cup, a new initiative thanks to North Adelaide’s partnership with the business, which will be played between the Redlegs and Roosters each year.

Norwood 4.2, 10.4, 14.6, 18.9 – 117

North Adelaide 1.3, 3.4. 7.6, 7.6 – 48

Goals: Binder 4, Callow 3, Murphy 3, Kennerley 3, Gale, Hamilton, F. Heard, C. Ling, Lord, Rokahr

Best: F. Heard, Dittmar, Lowe, Callow, Rokahr

Norwood made a statement in the second half of the Reserves on Saturday, booting nine goals to three after the main break to defeat North Adelaide by 51 points at Prospect Oval.

The Redlegs had a strong side on the park, and everyone chipped in for the 17.10-110 to 9.5-59 win.

Jim Kelly was named best on ground with his 27 disposals, five clearances and four tackles, while Mitch Nicholas returned from concussion and had 25 disposals. Oliver Sanders also collected 25 touches, and Tyson Walls 24.

Sam Ainsworth was outstanding with six goals, 18 disposals and seven marks, while Matt Harms also responded to a return to the Reserves with six goals.

It was a close battle until half time, as Norwood led 8.4-52 to 6.0-36, before the Redlegs put their footy down with a six goal to one third term to lead by 46 points at the final break.

North was able to contain the Redlegs in the fourth term, allowing three goals to two to ensure the final margin didn’t blow out past 10 goals.

Norwood has now won five games on the trot in the Reserves, as well as the League, and take on Woodville-West Torrens at Coopers stadium on Sunday.

Norwood 4.1, 8.4, 14.6, 17.10 – 110

North Adelaide 3.0, 6.0, 7.2, 9.5 – 59

Goals: Ainsworth 6, Harms 6, D’Annunzio, Hill, M. Hodges, L. Ling, Prescott

Best: Jim Kelly, Mitchell Nicholas, Sam Ainsworth, Matthew Harms, Max Hodges