Norwood secure victory over Glenelg in second trial

All eyes turn to a blockbuster Round 1 match-up against Sturt at Coopers Stadium in two weeks time, after Norwood secured a nine-point win in its second trial match on Friday night.

The Redlegs hosted Glenelg at Coopers Stadium in the second trial game of the pre-season, claiming a 9.7-61 to 7.10-52 victory over the Bays, following last week’s 57-point win over North Adelaide in the first trial.

Despite the perfect conditions for football, the trial against Glenelg wasn’t one for the highlights reel. It was a scrappy, low scoring contest, but Norwood got through in unscathed and ready to take on the Double Blues on March 27.

The Redlegs played a 24-man squad against the Tigers (who named 26) in a full-length game.

It was scrappy from the get go, as the Redlegs went into quarter time leading 2.2-14 to 1.6-12. Glenelg squandered opportunity after opportunity in front of goals, while Norwood captain Jacob Kennerley started brightly with nine disposals and a goal in the opening term.

Norwood looked good in the second quarter, its best of the game, kicking five goals to two, to go into the main break leading 7.5-47 to 3.7-25, with Alastair Lord goaling from 50m with the final kick of the half.

The Redlegs continued on their way in the third term, making it five unanswered goals, and stretching the lead out past 30 points.

Glenelg kicked a late goal in the third term to snap the run, and make it 9.5 to 4.9 at three quarter time.

As the gas went out of the game, the Tigers kicked the only three goals of the final term to bring the final margin back to nine points.

Norwood’s goal kickers were Kennerley and Baynen Lowe with two, while Josh Murphy, Finn Heard, Lord, Kade Dittmar and Charlie Molan kicked one each.

Pierce Seymour finished with a team-high 26 disposals, taking 10 marks across half back, while running defender Cooper Murley had 25 touches, as did Nik Rokahr.

Earlier in the evening, Norwood’s Reserves claimed a 12.8-80 to 10.10-70 win over Glenelg.

The Redlegs led by 45 points at half time, before taking the foot off the accelerator and letting the Tigers into the contest. Norwood managed to hang on to the 10-point win.

Norwood have next weekend off before it takes on Sturt in Round 1 at The Parade. It’s a busy weekend of football ahead with the U18 Girls and U14 Boys play a Round 3 games, and the U16 Boys have a Trial Match. The U18 Boys season gets underway on Wednesday night at Norwood Oval.

Norwood 2.2, 7.5, 9.5, 9.7 – 61

Glenelg 1.6, 3.7, 4.9, 7.10 – 52

Goals: Kennerley 2, Lowe 2, Murphy, F. Heard, Lord, Dittmar, Molan