Norwood come from behind to secure vital win over the Bulldogs

Norwood’s future is in its own hands following an outstanding last quarter fight back victory against the third placed Central District in Elizabeth on Saturday evening.

The Redlegs have had a good month, with two wins and a draw against the top three teams Centrals (nine points), South Adelaide (25 points) and Glenelg (draw), and also a win against eighth placed North Adelaide (29 points) to set the back end of their season up.

Norwood is now 6-4-1 after 11 matches and sit fourth on the ladder, three premiership points ahead of West Adelaide, and one point below the third placed Bulldogs with three matches to play.

Norwood trailed by three points at three quarter time, before two last quarter goals to Adrienne Davies and Lana Schwerdt put the Redlegs in the box seat for the nine-point 4.5-29 to 2.8-20 win.

The visitors were under the pump early in the game, as Centrals dominated the first term, but couldn’t put Norwood away.

The Bulldogs went into quarter time with a 0.6-6 to 0.0-0 scoreline and the Redlegs were lucky to be within touching distance, let alone just six points down.

Norwood absolutely made the wayward Bulldogs pay in the second quarter.

The Redlegs had the wobbles early in the quarter, with three consecutive behinds, before key defender Emily Bartsch snuck down to the forward line to kick her first goal in the red and blue after 25 SANFLW matches.

Kiana Lee continued her strong season, kicking Norwood’s second goal and giving her side a nine-point lead at the main break.

The Redlegs kept the Bulldogs scoreless in the second quarter, and the half time score was 2.3-15 to 0.6-6.

The reigning premiers came back with a vengeance in the third term, and found goals through Charlotte Riggs and Katelyn Rosenzweig to give the Bulldogs a three-point lead at the final change.

Again, their troubles in front of goal haunted the Bulldogs, letting two other golden opportunities to extend their lead slip.

Norwood was classy in the last quarter, keeping Centrals scoreless, while Davies and Schwerdt made the most of their chances.

Davies put Norwood back in front at the three-minute mark with an accurate set shot, before Schwerdt made it a nine-point game from a boundary throw in at the seven-minute mark.

The Redlegs ensured the final 10 minutes remained scoreless, as they went on to record their sixth victory of the campaign.

Jade Halfpenny was again influential for Norwood with 25 disposals, eight clearances and seven tackles.

Reigning best and fairest winner Tahlita Buethke had 20 disposals and Davies 17 disposals to go with her final quarter goal.

Norwood host Woodville-West Torrens this Sunday in another First Nations Round Triple Header, followed by a King’s Birthday game against Sturt and a final round match against the Bloods.

Norwood 0.0, 2.3, 2.5, 4.5 – 29

Central District 0.6, 0.6, 2.8, 2.8 – 20

Goals: Bartsch, Davies, Lee, Schwerdt

Best: Halfpenny, Nenke, Bartsch, Buethke, Lee