Norwood go top after win over the Dogs

Norwood has leaped to the top of the SANFL Women’s ladder, following Saturday’s 30-point Round 11 win over Central District at Coopers Stadium.

The Redlegs were the best team for most of the day, dominating the first half, and holding off a ferocious Centrals side that lifted their intensity after the break.

Norwood’s win, and Woodville-West Torrens’ draw with Sturt helped the Redlegs leap over the Eagles on percentage to sit atop the table, with three round to play.

It was a dominant first half from the Redlegs, led by captain Jade Halfpenny, who had 19 disposals and six clearances to half time. Halfpenny was outstanding, finishing the game with 32 disposals, eight clearances and a goal.

Norwood was winning the territory battle in the first half, having 21 inside 50m entries to 14, as well as +18 disposals and +14 marks.

The Redlegs put four goals on the board in the opening half, two in each quarter, and held the Bulldogs to a singular goal. At the main break it was 4.4-28 to 1.3-9.

The first goal was an absolute ripper from Ashley Baker, who marked in the middle of the ground, took off and sent the ball inside 50m from the centre square. She was searching for a mark inside 50m, but the ball rolled over the pack and bounced through the big sticks.

Sophie Arkun kicked the Redlegs second, who took a 2.3-15 to 0.1-1 lead into quarter time. Norwood was all over the Bulldogs, who had been held to three inside 50m entries in the first term.

Amelia Rusden and Lani Cocks kicked Norwood’s goals in the second term, while Alysha Healy kicked Centrals only major for the half.

Centrals improved their pressure in the third term, kicking back to back goals to bring the margin back to 13 points.

Kaianne Colbung-Ware kicked the Redlegs first goal of the quarter, as Norwood went end to end from the back half, running the ball along the wing, and perfectly finished by the fourth-gamer.

Lani Cocks kicked her second goal mid-way through the term, making it four goals in 10 minutes between the two teams.

Cocks’ goal was a bit of a spirit crusher for the Bulldogs, who despite their improved quarter, had to settle for two goals apiece and a 23-point three quarter time deficit.

The Redlegs were keen to put the game to bed early in the final term, trapping the ball inside 50m, but they couldn’t land the killer blow.

The hosts could only manage two behinds for most of the term, but were taking crucial time off the clock, making it near-on impossible for Centrals to mount a serious fightback.

The first goal of the final quarter came after the siren, and it was the captain Halfpenny who slotted the Redlegs seventh goal of the day, with her 32nd disposal.

Norwood 2.3, 4.4, 6.8, 7.11 – 53

Central District 0.1, 1.3, 3.3, 3.5 – 23

Goals: Cocks 2, Arkun, Baker, Colbung-Ware, Rusden, Halfpenny

Best: Halfpenny, Cocks, Bartsch, Schwerdt, Rusden