Norwood Juniors go down to the Bulldogs

Norwood was seeking its second win of the U18s campaign when it hosted the second placed Central District at Norwood Oval on Wednesday night.

The Redlegs were highly competitive for most of the contest, but short lapses in concentration and intensity cost the home side dearly in what turned out to be a 56-point defeat.

It was a tight tussle for a quarter and a half, before the Bulldogs kicked five goals in nine minutes to transform a 12-point quarter time lead into a 44-point lead at half time.

At quarter time, Centrals were +8 in disposal and +3 in inside 50m entries, which were the two main differentials on the board in the first quarter.

Norwood’s defence held up well all quarter, with key defenders Luke Scott gathering six disposals and taking three marks, and Ezra Foster five disposals the main ball winners.

The Redlegs kept the second placed Bulldogs to one goal for most of the first quarter, before two late goals to Enrique Mazzeo and Cameron Nairn to make it a 19-point margin.

From the final centre clearance of the quarter, Darcy Speyer launched it long inside 20m, allowing Jim Kelly to rove a pack and run in an easy goal.

Norwood had further opportunities of its own in the first term, including two long set shots to Jay Polkinghorne which both dropped short, and a behind to Jake Hill.

Hill and Kelly both had five disposals in the first term.

At the first break it was Central District 3.2-20 to Norwood’s 1.1-7.

The Bulldogs were again dominating the territory battle to commence the second quarter, but Norwood conceded just two behinds in the first 13 minutes.

Polkinghorne again took a strong contested mark at the top of the 50m arc, but this time looked to pass off, ending in a Hugo Black behind.

On transition from Norwood’s forward line, Centrals switched to the western wing and found Ariel Rothe in a paddock of space. He found a leading forward, which was shut down by Foster, but Tom Cochrane swooped and kicked the Bulldogs first goal of the second term.

Centrals led by 20 points, which quickly became 26 when Mazzeo nailed his second goal from a set shot.

Another forward transition found a Centrals forward in space on the flank, with short lapses of concentration costing Norwood dearly.

The Bulldogs kicked their third goal five minutes through Josh Riechelt and the lead all of a sudden was out to 32 points at the 18-minute mark.

T. Cochrane kicked back to back goals (making it three for the quarter) in the space of two minutes, and the game was all-but gone at half time – 44 points in arrears.

At the main break it was 8.4-52 to 1.2-8.

Centrals were +25 in disposal, +13 in marks, and +15 in inside 50m. Norwood was leading clearances +7, tackles +8 and hitouts +5.

Hill had 11 disposals and Speyer 10 at half time, but Norwood’s worries were T. Cochrane who had 11 disposals and three goals to the break.

Norwood fought back after half time, booting three of the next four goals and were an outside shot of an upset at 31 points down when Eamonn Cronin goaled at the start of the final quarter.

Centrals put any chance of a spirited fight back to bed, kicking the final the goals of the game in quick succession to make it a 12.13-85 to 4.5-29 victory.

Norwood 1.1, 1.2, 3.5, 4.5 – 29

Central District 3.2, 8.4, 9.6, 12.13 – 85

Goals: Cronin 2, Kelly, Polkinghorne

Best: Stutz-Roberts, Foster, Scott, Cronin, Speyer

It was a long night for Norwood’s U16s on Wednesday, as Central District ran away with an 87-point victory. 

The Bulldogs looked on from the start, booting six unanswered goals in the first term and went on to secure a 19.12-126 to 5.9-39 win.

Centrals forward Charlie Moss booted eight goals, and midfielders Jack Gordon and William Cameron proved too strong for Norwood’s under-sized midfield, without key figures co-captain Blake Jones and Charlie Best.

In their absence Lachie Smith stood up, collecting 19 disposals, six marks and three clearances, while Kai Ivins had 18 touches and three clearances.

Norwood’s first goal came mid-way through the second term through Jack Gaunt but the Bulldogs led by 53 points at half time.

Norwood managed four second half goals, but the Bulldogs kicked another 10 and went on to record an impressive win.

Norwood 0.1, 1.3, 2.5, 5.9 – 39

Central District 6.2, 9.8, 15.10, 19.12 – 126

Goals: Gaunt, M. Jones, Lake, Neal, R. Pearce

Best: Cole-Manolis, H. Pearce, Staritski, Lake, Dimasi