Norwood still in box seat for GF spot despite Sturt loss

Norwood remains Woodville-West Torrens’ most likely Grand Final opponent, but will need to hold its nerve against the Eagles in Round 9 to make it a certainty.

The Redlegs faced Sturt at The Lights Community and Sports Centre in Round 8 on Friday night, and couldn’t get the job done with the Double Blues securing a 36-point win.

A win for Norwood would have guaranteed a Grand Final berth, while Sturt needed to win to keep its outside hopes of a Grand Final spot alive.

It was the Double Blues that escaped with a 15.9-99 to 10.3-63 win to give themselves one last chance at making next week’s decider.

The undefeated Woodville-West Torrens long ago tied away its minor premiership and Grand Final berth with a clinical season thus far, while Norwood and Sturt have wrestled all season for the last remaining spot.

Central District is fourth, with one win next to its name.

In the upcoming final round of the home and away season, Norwood takes on the Eagles in a potential 2024 Grand Final pre-match. While Sturt faces the bottom placed Bulldogs.

Norwood has struggled all season against the strong Eagles, going down by 72 points and 56 points in the previous clashes in 2024.

The Redlegs are very likely to maintain second place, sitting one win and far superior percentage ahead of the Double Blues.

Sturt would need a huge win over the Bulldogs, and the Redlegs to get absolutely smashed by the Eagles to qualify for the decider on August 2.

While Norwood would feel reasonably safe of its ladder position, it would still be disappointed that it’s coming down to the last round, considering their position at three quarter time on Friday.

After a see-sawing night, the Redlegs were just four points down at the final break, before the Double Blues came out all guns blazing in the final term.

Sturt scored six goals to one in the fourth quarter to run out 36-point winners.

The Redlegs would have also been disappointed by the start, allowing Sturt to score six goals to two in the first term, before they came storming back into the contest with five unanswered goals in the second quarter.

Norwood should be ok in Round 9, but the Redlegs would be hoping to show an improved performance against the Eagles who they may be playing again the following week in a Grand Final.

Norwood 2.2, 7.2, 9.3, 10.3 – 63

Sturt 6.2, 6.4, 9.7, 15.9 – 99