Norwood fall short in thriller

Norwood fell agonizingly short of a thrilling comeback victory at Unley Oval on Good Friday, with Sturt claiming a three-point win in the Ellen Maple Memorial Match.

The Redlegs came from a match-high 22 points behind at three quarter time and kicked three unanswered goals in the final term, but in the end left themselves with too much to do in the 7.3-45 to 6.6-42 loss.

Sturt’s Isobel Kuiper won the Ellen Maple Medal, adjudged best afield for her 26-disposal performance, while Norwood’s Kiana Lee was outstanding with four goals from 15 disposals.

Two of Lee’s goals came in the final term, and was lining up for a third consecutive goal in the dying moments which unfortunately just drifted to the right for a minor score. From there the Double Blues were able to clear to the wing and hang on to their third win of the 2025 campaign.

Georgie Jaques was named Norwood’s best for her job in defence and in the ruck, finishing with 14 disposals, 11 hitouts, and five marks. Sarah Branford had 14 disposals and Jade Halfpenny 13.

Norwood started the match strongly, winning clearances and disposals in the first quarter, and levelled the inside 50m battle, which had been the Redlegs biggest worry over the first month of footy.

Sturt kicked the first goal of the game through Claudia Edmonds, but from there the Redlegs dominated the first term, spurred on from an outstanding term from Lee.

Starting on the wing, Lee gathered seven first quarter disposals and got Norwood’s first goal on the board, converting a set shot to level the scores.

The Redlegs found a second goal just before quarter time through Mykaela Walker to take a five-point lead at the first break, 2.1-13 to 1.1-7.

Sturt came out of the quarter time break with all the run, and kicked six of the next seven goals.

The first came through Saskia Reynolds and Isobel Kuiper to reclaim the lead, and the Double Blues were away.

Lee continued her strong start and with her eighth disposals she nailed her second goal of the afternoon from a set shot.

After 10 minutes of the second term Norwood led 3.2-20 to 3.1-19 on a perfect afternoon for football.

Lee was held quiet in the second term, and Sturt finished with a three-goal-to-one quarter and it was the Double Blues that held a 4.2-26 to 3.3-21 lead at the main break.

At the half, Norwood was leading disposals 106-94, inside 50m 16-15 and hitouts 25-18, while Sturt led clearances 16-13, tackles 32-30 and marks 28-19 in what was an evenly poised contest.

Tahlita Buethke had nine touches to half time while Lee and Branford had eight apiece. Lee had the two goals to half time

Kuiper led all players with 10 disposals.

The ball lived in Norwood’s forward zone in the early stages of the second half, fining repeat inside 50m entries.

However, it was the Double Blues that were able to boot the first goal on the counter attack, running the ball from one end of the ground to the other to finish with a walk-in Zara Walsh goal.

Walsh’s goal put Sturt 11 points in front and from the centre bounce the Double Blues found a second goal within a minute as Millie McCarthy helped her side to a 6.2-38 to 3.3-21 lead five minutes into the half.

Despite the positive start from the Redlegs, Sturt dominated the third term, booting three unanswered goals, and making it four Double Blues goals in a row to turn a one-point deficit into a 22-point lead.

That was the margin at three quarter time as the Double Blues led 7.2-44 to 3.4-22 and it was going to be a tough task for the Redlegs.

After a six goals to one stretch Norwood needed to turn it around quickly.

Needing four last quarter goals, Norwood did all it could and Amelia Rusden got the scoring underway in the final term.

From there it was Lee or bust for the Redlegs, who looked dangerous moving forward. Lee’s third goal brought the margin back to 10 points with eight minutes remaining. While her fourth meant there was just four points separating the two sides.

It was a thrilling final four minutes, and Norwood was pressing hard as it lived in the Redlegs forward zone.

Lee had a set shot 30m out, but it faded to the right and the Double Blues were able to hold on.

The Redlegs will be searching for a second win of their season when they face Glenelg at Glenelg Oval on Anzac Day.

Norwood 2.1, 3.3, 3.4, 6.6 – 42

Sturt 1.1, 4.2, 7.2, 7.3 – 45

Goals: Lee 4, Rusden, Walker

Best: Jaques, Lee, Bartsch, Arkun, Halfpenny, Alexander