Norwood concludes most successful full-length U16 season

Norwood has concluded a much improved U16s campaign in 2025 with a come from behind 16-point win over third-placed North Adelaide at Norwood Oval on Saturday.

The Redlegs have completed their most successful 18-game season since the competition was extended to full length in 2022, winning eight matches this year and a sixth placed finish, much-improved on their two-win 2024 season, five-win 2023 season and four-win 2022 season.

Norwood Talent Manager Craig Roberts said he was proud of the U16 squad’s development.

“We are really excited about this group coming through,” he said.

“We managed to play over 65 players and still came out with a healthy record. If we were able to play our best side all year, I have no doubt we would have gone deep into finals, but unfortunately this is the system.

“We also had 5 players chosen for SA U16 side in 2025, only one of those was able to play all year due to the college system.

The supporters should be super excited with the group of players coming through over the next few years, no different to the batch of U18s currently playing reserves and league football.

On Saturday, Norwood had to overcome a slow start as the hosts allowed the Roosters to kick four straight goals and take a 22-point lead early in the second term

It was a game of huge momentum swings, as Norwood answered right back with the next seven unanswered to take a 20-point lead of its own.

Naturally, it was the Roosters who had their turn to cause some damage, kicking four of the next five and edge back in front early in the final term.

Thomas Gribben stood tall once again for Norwood, kicking his third and fourth goals at the 16 and 20-minute marks of the final term to give his side a 10-point buffer. Lucas Maschotta kicked the sealer in the dying minutes to seal the 16-point win.

Gribben’s four goals were crucial, while Mason Tambe collected 35 disposals, 11 marks and six tackles.

George Serocki had 33 disposals, 13 rebound 50m and kicked a goal in a best afield performance.

Norwood 1.1, 6.1, 9.4, 12.5 – 77

North Adelaide 2.3, 4.6, 6.11, 8.13 – 61

Goals: Gribben 4, Wilkins 2, Clark, Couzner, Fraser, Maschotta, Nak, Serocki

Best: George Serocki, Myles Carr, Mason Tambe, Oliver Wilkins, Jy Hazelhurst

Norwood’s U18 season has wrapped up with a 56-point loss to North Adelaide at Norwood Oval.

The Redlegs kicked an early goal through Robbie Varcoe, but from there were outplayed by the Roosters in a 12.16-88 to 4.8-32 loss.

With U18s Jim Kelly, Sam Ainsworth, Will Prescott, Noah Daw, Micah Kretschmer playing Reserves (and Balyn O’Brien League), Captain Darcy Speyer again led from the front with 31 disposals, eight tackles, six clearances and a goal.

Levi Johnston and James van Wyk each finished with 23 disposals and Ashton Hartwig 22.

Norwood’s U18 season finishes with five victories, improved on three from last season.

Norwood 1.2, 1.4, 3.6, 4.8 – 32

North Adelaide 2.7, 5.10, 8.11, 12.16 – 88

Goals: Speyer, Bromson, Varcoe, Hearfield

Best: Darcy Speyer, Levi Johnston, James van Wyk, Daun Lee, Ashton Hartwig