Norwood keep season alive in must-win clash with Glenelg

A lot was on the line when Norwood travelled to Stratarama Stadium to face Glenelg on Anzac Day.

It was a rematch of last year’s Preliminary Final thriller, but in Round 6 2025 it was a very different preposition with both sides heading to the Bay with just one win between them… Norwood 1-4 and Glenelg 0-5 from two of last season’s top three sides.

There wasn’t a Grand Final on the end of this match, but both sides were desperate to get their campaigns underway, and it was the Redlegs who prevailed 2.7-19 to 1.2-8 in a high pressure, low scoring battle in tough wintry conditions.

The ball was tough to handle and skills were challenging to perfect, as rain fell throughout the match.

Former Redleg Kaitey Whittaker kicked the first goal of the game for her new Tigers side, which came early in the second term, as Norwood squandered its first three shots at goal.

K. Whittaker’s goal put Glenelg four points ahead, before Amelia Rusden edged Norwood back in front through an accurate set shot just four minutes later.

At half time Norwood led 1.4-10 to 1.1-7.

Norwood dominated the second half, despite not putting the score on the board. The Redlegs got on top in the midfield, giving Glenelg no room to move, and while this didn’t translate into scoreboard pressure, Norwood was able to hold the Tigers at bay.

After Rusden’s goal nine minutes into the second term, the game was goalless until late in the last term when co-captain Sophie Armitstead went back and nailed the sealing goal that put the Redlegs 11 points in front.

Heading to Glenelg sitting 1-4, and playing a side that was 0-5, it was simply about getting the job done and finding that crucial second victory of the SANFLW campaign. It wasn’t pretty, but Norwood achieved that goal.

In the end, Norwood was the better team in the engine room, winning hitouts 37-17 and clearances 29-15 and giving its forwards first look which has been a challenge in 2025 thus far.

Jade Halfpenny led disposals for the Redlegs with 20, while also laying four tackles and finding four clearances, while Lana Schwerdt had 18 touches and five clearances.

Sarah Branford was Norwood’s best with her role in defence, gathering 13 disposals, while Georgie Jaques backed up with another good performance with 13 disposals and 16 hitouts.

Lottie Almond was among Norwood’s best performers in her League Debut.

Norwood will have a week off due to the SANFLW state game on May 3, before taking on North Adelaide at Prospect Oval on Sunday, May 11.

The Redlegs face the third placed Roosters, before the top of the table and undefeated Eagles and fourth-placed Centrals in a tricky three-week stretch.

Norwood 0.1, 1.4, 1.5, 2.7 – 19

Glenelg 0.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.2 – 8

Goals: Rusden, Armitstead

Best: Branford, Jaques, Almond, Belbin, Bartsch