Norwood suffer 30-point loss to league leaders Glenelg

Norwood suffered a 30-point defeat against competition pacesetters Glenelg at Coopers Stadium on Saturday.

After trailing by 21-points at half time, the Redlegs fought back to creep within six-points early in the fourth quarter but the Bays responded, kicking three consecutive goals on the way to a 7.15-57 to 13.9-87 win over an inaccurate Norwood side.

Liam Robinson and Declan Hamilton both kicked two goals for the match whilst Nik Rokahr continued his strong form to lead the Redlegs midfield with 24 disposals, six tackles and six clearances.

Hamilton (24 disposals, six tackles and two goals) was strong in the midfield along with Pierce Seymour (20 disposals and seven rebound 50s) who toiled hard in defense.

Ruckman Harry Boyd was another strong performer with 39 hitouts.

Norwood coach Jade Rawlings was frustrated at his side’s inability to convert its opportunities despite them showing the willingness and effort that he has come to expect.

“We missed some opportunities in the first quarter with a set shot in front of goal and a dropped mark on the goal line, they are opportunities you need to take,” he said.

“The second half of our third quarter was exceptional, we defended really well, won a lot of groundballs and started looking dangerous going forward but once again we didn’t take our chances.

“The last quarter we got within a goal but we made a couple of bad errors with the ball at key times and they took their chances again.

“There’s a lot to admire and respect from an endeavor perspective but when your season is borderline on the line, not taking those chances is quite frustrating.”

Despite the loss, Rawlings maintains a positive outlook for the remainder of the season.

“They (Glenelg) are a good team, they are probably as strong and consistent as any team we’ve come up against this year,” he said.

“We have work to do, but there is still plenty to achieve this year.”

Rain hovered earlier in the day but both sides were greeted with clear conditions at first bounce.

Former Richmond forward Liam McBean handed Glenelg the first goal of the game before Norwood began to generate opportunities going forward.

Athletic forward Liam Robinson had a lively first quarter, presenting strongly and converting to hand the Redlegs their first goal of the day.

Robinson continued to be a threat going forward, leaping high to take a strong contested mark before a classy finish around his body saw the Redlegs stretch out to a seven-point lead.

The Bays were able to respond late in the first quarter however, with some easy marks inside 50 allowing McBean to convert his second goal before Matthew Allen kicked truly to hand the Bays a four-point lead at quarter time 2.4-16 to 3.2-20.

Glenelg midfielder Brett Turner extended the margin out to 10-points with a goal early in the second quarter before the game turned into an arm-wrestle with both sides unable to generate scoring shots.

Will Chandler broke the deadlock for the Bays with a classy finish from a mark and play on just inside forward 50.

The Bays owned the football in the second quarter and won the clearance battle, generating more inside 50s that resulted in a run of six consecutive goals.

McBean continued to be a force up forward dribbling from the goal square to kick his third goal for the day.

Norwood forward Goy Lok marked and converted from 45m out to steady the momentum, trimming the margin back to 22-points in the shadows of half time.

The Bays took a lead of 21-points into the main break 3.7-25 to 7.4-46.

Norwood wingman Declan Hamilton battled tirelessly for the Redlegs in the first half with 12 disposals and four clearances, along with Nik Rokahr who had 11 disposals and four tackles.

Glenelg’s Corey Lyons kicked the first goal of the second half but Xavier Tranfa had the quick reply for the Redlegs with a strong finish around the body.

Co-captain Matthew Nunn and midfielder Cory Stockdale provided great pressure acts inside the Redlegs forward 50, but were amongst a host of Redlegs players who were unable to capitalize on their goal kicking opportunities.

The Redlegs continued to press forward however, and Nunn wouldn’t miss two in a row, snapping from 30m out to bring the margin back to 13-points.

Defender Sam Morris had an opportunity from outside 50 to deliver the Redlegs another goal on the brink of three quarter time but failed to convert.

Norwood led scoring shots 6-2 in the third quarter off the back of a 16-10 inside 50 count but could only manage the one major with Glenelg taking a 12-point lead in to three quarter time 5.11-41 to 8.5-53.

The Redlegs continued their momentum to begin the fourth quarter with 50th gamer and co-captain Jacob Kennerley sending the Redlegs inside 50, resulting in Declan Hamilton running into an open goal to trim the margin back to six-points.

Despite Norwood’s hot start to the quarter, Glenelg responded with two goals of its own with goal kicking ace Luke Hosie kicking his first for the day before McBean converted his fourth.

After Turner kicked his second goal for the day to extend the margin to 24-points Declan Hamilton initiated the quick response with a goal on the run keeping the Redlegs alive.

A free kick against Norwood minutes later however saw McBean kick his fifth goal of the day to again push the margin out to 25-points.

Robinson and Kennerley combined in the middle of the ground to find Nunn inside forward 50 as the Redlegs surged in pursuit of a late fightback, but they were again unable to convert.

McBean kicked his sixth goal of the day late in the fourth quarter to cap Glenelg’s 11th consecutive victory.

Norwood head to Maughan Thiem Kia Oval next Saturday to take on Woodville-West Torrens.

Norwood: 2.4, 3.7, 5.11, 7.15 – 57

Glenelg: 3.2, 7.4, 8.5, 13.9 – 87

Goals: Robinson, Hamilton 2, Lok, Nunn, Tranfa

Best: Donnelly, Kennerley, Boyd, Hamilton, Rokahr

Norwood’s Reserves endured a 63-point defeat to Glenelg at Coopers Stadium on Saturday. 

The Redlegs led the contest by one-point at quarter time, but were held goalless in the second and third quarters as the Bays ran away with a 4.5-29 to 14.8-92 win.

Mitchell Carroll led the way for the Redlegs with 19 disposals and eight tackles, whilst Matthew Dnistriansky (17 disposals, eight tackles) and Izaak Twelftree (16 disposals) also tried to influence themselves on the game on a tough day for Norwood.

Lachlan Pascoe kicked two goals, along with Harry Allen and Hugh Strickland who kicked one each.

Alex Van Wyk battled hard in the ruck on his way to 30 hit outs.

The Redlegs couldn’t have asked for a better start when Allen kicked their first goal of the day inside the first 30 seconds of play, before Pascoe capitalised on his opportunity just over two minutes later to give Norwood an early two goal lead.

It was 13 minutes later that Pascoe would kick his second goal of the opening quarter, Norwood’s third for the day, as the margin extended out to 19-points.

Glenelg responded swiftly however, with Nicholas Leck kicking back-to-back goals before Cooper Horsnell split the middle to trim the margin to one-point at quarter time.

It was a sign of things to come, as the Bays kicked the next ten goals of the game, with the Bays controlling possession, winning the clearances and generating more inside 50s.

The Redlegs only mustered three behinds in the second and third quarters.

The Bays continued their momentum into the fourth quarter before Strickland broke Glenelg’s run of goals when he converted to nail Norwood’s fourth goal of the day.

Saturday’s loss sees Norwood slip to sixth on the ladder (5-7), with Woodville-West Torrens jumping them into fifth following its upset victory over Central District.

The two teams play each other next Saturday in what will be a vital match for both side’s finals prospects.

Norwood: 3.2, 3.4, 3.5, 4.5 – 29

Glenelg: 3.1, 6.4, 10.6, 14.8 – 92

Goals: Pascoe 2, Allen, Strickland

Best: Twelftree, Dnistriansky, Binder, Pascoe, Wilkins