Norwood U18s back on the winners’ list in thriller

Norwood’s U18s side snapped a four-game losing streak in Glenelg on Wednesday night, kicking the final three goals of the game to claim an 11-point win over the Tigers.

In one of the quirks of the SANFL U18 scheduling, the Redlegs played Glenelg in both Rounds 6 and 7, going down to the Tigers by 31 points at Norwood in Round 6, before righting the ship to secure a 13.7-85 to 11.8-74 win last night.

The SANFL scheduled the Wednesday night fixture to accommodate players that regularly play in the Adelaide School Football system.

In Round 6 the game was decided by six unanswered Glenelg goals across the third and fourth quarters, and Norwood coaching staff would have been disappointed with the same drop off last night, as the Tigers again booted six consecutive majors through the second and third terms.

Trailing by 22 points early in the third term, this time Norwood was able to steady with five consecutive goals of its own to reclaim the lead at three quarter time.

The last quarter was a thriller, as Norwood kicked the opening goal through Mitchell Stevenson, before the Tigers fought back with the next three to open up an eight-point lead with 10 minutes to go.

After a quiet first half, Fergus Myall was the hero for the Redlegs with two goals in the last seven minutes, with Jeff Rozenbilds kicking another to make it three in a row and an 11-point lead with three minutes to go.

The dying moments were nerve wracking but Norwood held on to a much needed win, moving to a 3-4 win-loss record.

Myall might have been the hero at the end of the game, but Noah Daw was exceptional in defence all night.

Daw finished with 25 disposals and 11 marks in a best on ground effort. Will Prescott – who has played three Reserves matches this year – kicked three goals from 17 disposals.

Jim Kelly had 27 touches, six clearances and four tackles for the Redlegs, while captain Darcy Speyer had 25 disposals.

The Redlegs now sit sixth on the U18 ladder, and take on the fourth-placed 3-3 Centrals in Elizabeth in Round 8.

Norwood 3.1, 5.1, 9.3, 13.7 – 85

Glenelg 2.4, 7.5, 8.7, 11.8 – 74

Goals: Myall 3, Prescott 3, Rozenbilds 2, Stevenson 2, Elton, Speyer, van Wyk

Best: Daw, Prescott, Kelly, Rozenbilds, Scott

Norwood’s U16s were overrun by Glenelg on Wednesday night, with the Tigers securing a 25-point win.

The Redlegs dominated the first term but couldn’t put it on the board, kicking 1.5 before the Tigers managed the next four goals to take a strong 14-point lead into the first break.

Norwood kicked the next four goals of the contest, but again accuracy in front of goal was the issue, managing 4.5 in a dominant patch.

Meanwhile, Glenelg had its own troubles down the other end, kicking 2.10 in the second and third quarters. Both goals came just before half time to reclaim a 12-point lead at the main break.

Jack Gaunt got Norwood underway with the first goal of the second half, but from there it was all the Tigers as the home side kicked five of the last six goals to claim a 11.12-78 to 7.11-53 win.

Kai Ivins had 29 disposals for the Redlegs, which included four behinds, while George Serocki had 23 touches.

Oliver Easton was Norwood’s best with two goals from 21 disposals.

Norwood 1.5, 2.8, 5.10, 7.11 – 53

Glenelg 4.1, 4.8, 6.11, 11.12 – 78

Goals: Easton 2, Gray 2, T Boxer, B Boxer, Gaunt

Best: Easton, Serocki, Gribben, Gaunt, Tambe