Norwood falls agonisingly short of breakthrough win

Norwood will have to wait a little longer for that illusive second win of the 2024 U18s season, following a tough one-point loss to Sturt at Norwood Oval on Friday night. 

The Redlegs didn’t start well, going into quarter time 18 points down, but fought back in an impressive second term.

It looked ominous for the Redlegs when Isaiah Faddoul booted the first goal of the second quarter for the Double Blues to get the visitors out to a match-high 24 point lead, but from there Norwood booted four unanswered goals to take an unlikely two-point lead into half time, 6.3-39 to 6.1-37.

The Double Blues recovered with four goals to two in the third quarter to help themselves to a 12-point three quarter time lead.

In previous weeks, Norwood has faded out in final quarters, but it was quite the opposite on Friday night.

Ned Atkinson got the Double Blues off to a flying start with a goal in the first 45 seconds of the final term to get his side out to an 18-point lead.

From there Norwood went to work, and goals to Zade Hearfield, Will Prescott and Jake Hill got the Redlegs back in the contest.

The Redlegs were seven points down with less than 10 minutes on the clock, and couldn’t quite sneak another goal.

Jay Polkinghorne had a set shot with the last kick of the game, which reduced the margin to one point but the siren went before the ball could get back to the centre.

It was Polkinghorne’s third goal of the game from five shots, and five marks.

Hearfield and Prescott also kicked two goals for the Redlegs.

J. Hill had 27 disposals, nine tackles and eight clearances in a best on ground performance, while Speyer had 19 touches and a goal.

Other major ball winners for the Redlegs were Harry Brock, Jeff Rozenbilds and captain Luke Scott with 18 apiece.

Norwood’s juniors now have two weeks off due to the AFL U18 National Championships and resumption of Adelaide College Football, before taking on South Adelaide at Norwood Oval on June 29.

Norwood 2.0, 6.3, 8.3, 12.5 – 77

Sturt 5.0, 6.1, 10.3, 12.6 – 78

Goals: Prescott 3, Hearfield 2, Prescott 2, Cronin, J. Hill, Hogan, Rozenbilds, Speyer

Best: J. Hill, Rozenbilds, Michalanney, O’Brien, Speyer

Sturt proved too strong for Norwood’s U16s on Friday night, claiming a comfortable 74-point win at Norwood Oval.

It was a similar quarter time scoreline to the U18s match, with Sturt getting off to a strong start and going into the first break 24 points in front.

But, unlike the U18 Redlegs, Norwood couldn’t hit back in a meaningful way on the scoreboard in the second quarter.

Joe Kernahan booted the first of the second term for the Redlegs to get the margin back to 17 points, but the home side couldn’t go on with it.

Norwood kept Sturt goalless for the first 15 minutes of the second term, before the Double Blues powered away with four goals in seven minutes before the main interval.

The Double Blues onslaught meant it was a 40-point buffer at half time, 9.6-60 to 3.2-20.

It was one goal all to start the third quarter as Kai Ivins converted a set shot for Norwood at The Parade End, and Taj Garrett converted for Sturt down the Roger Woodcock End.

But from there it was all the Double Blues, who nailed a further three unanswered goals before three quarter time.

Lachie Smith and Ethan Staritski kicked last quarter majors for Norwood, but Sturt kicked four of its own to round out 17.12-114 to 6.4-40 winners.

Ivins had another impressive showing with 21 disposals, a goal, four clearances and nine tackles, while Charlie Best had 18 touches and four clearances.

Norwood 2.0, 3.2, 4.2, 6.4 – 40

Sturt 5.6, 9.6, 13.12, 17.12 – 114

Goals: Altamura, Gaunt, Ivins, Kernahan, Smith, Staritski

Best: Ivins, Annese, Dimasi, Tyrell, Gribben