Norwood U18s let final quarter lead slip

Norwood was in the hunt for an allusive second in of its 2024 U18 campaign, but North Adelaide spoilt the party with a come from behind 10-point win at Norwood Oval on Saturday.

Redleg Will Harvey goaled at the 14-minute mark of the last quarter to put Norwood up by eight points, before the Roosters came storming home with three goals in the last eight minutes to steal a 12.5-77 to 10.7-67 win.

It was a good effort by the Redlegs to get themselves into a winning position, turning for home nine points in arrears at three quarter time.

It was a rampant final quarter, as Norwood kicked three of the next four goals to put itself in the drivers seat so secure its second win of the season. Tom Stevens nailed a set shot for the Roosters to make it two points, and then Mitchell Llewellyn finished with class from 40m to put his side in front with five minutes on the clock.

Charlie Dickeson put the nail in the coffin with a goal in the final minute to ensure the 10-point North win.

Norwood has played North three times this season, finishing in five-point, 19-point and now 10-point wins for the Roosters.

It was a close encounter all afternoon, with the highest margin just 14 points when North’s Connor McAuliffe-Macfarlane booted his third goal midway through the third quarter.

Norwood found itself in front midway through the second and fourth quarters, but the visiting side always had the answers.

Ethan Pugsley, Jeff Rozenbilds and captain Luke Scott each had 20 disposals for the Redlegs, and ruck James van Wyk 19 disposals, 31 hitouts, eight clearances and a goal in a best on ground performance.

Errol Wood kicked three goals for Norwood.

Norwood 1.3, 3.5, 6.6, 10.7 – 67

North Adelaide 2.1, 5.2, 8.3, 12.5 – 77

Goals: Wood 3, Bromson, De Rosa, Harvey, Hearfield, Penna, Rozenbilds, van Wyk

Best: van Wyk, Pugsley, Penna, Mustaca, Wood

Norwood’s difficult U16 season continued at Norwood Oval on Saturday, with ladder leaders North Adelaide securing a comfortable 53-point win. 

Co-captain Blake Jones was again a standout performer with 32 disposals, 11 marks, six tackles and five clearances, backing up his 37 disposals last week against the Eagles.

The Redlegs were under the pump from the first bounce, as the impressive Roosters nailed the first four goals of the match in the opening eight minutes.

Kai Ivins kicked an important settler for Norwood, and Rupert Pearce another later in the quarter to ensure the quarter time margin remained at the four-goal mark.

Norwood did well to level the second quarter two goals apiece, and went in to half time 23 points down.

The Roosters again kicked the first couple goals after the half time break to make it 35 point, and made the third quarter a five-goals-to-two game. This ensured the game was in their hands at the three quarter time break, 13.3-81 to 6.5-41.

North booted another five goals in the last quarter to run out 53-point winners.

Norwood has the weekend off, before taking on Central District at The Parade on Wednesday, May 22 – U16 5pm, U18 7:15pm.