Raining goals… Norwood claim win in the wet over the Dogs

Norwood have made it three wins on the trot, with an impressive 49-point victory over Central District in wet conditions at X Convenience Oval on Saturday.

The Redlegs set up the win with a clinical first quarter, booting the only four goals of the term, and registering 16 inside 50m entries to Centrals’ three.

The visitors held the Bulldogs to just one goal in each half, leading by 24 points at the main break, and going on to win 10.11-71 to 2.10-22.

After 15 minutes of game time, the Bulldogs hadn’t been inside their attacking 50m zone, while Norwood had registered nine entries, and booted two goals through Tristan Binder and Matthew Harms

It was a complete domination across the ground, as Norwood led disposals +48, marks +11, tackles +2, inside 50m +13 and clearances +1.

First quarter goals came from Alex Swinnerton on debut, Josh Murphy, Harms and Binder. Nik Rokahr continued his strong form, with eight disposals in the first term, loving the wet conditions and tough game to finish with 31 touches.

Conversion has been an issue for Norwood across the first month of the season (kicking more behinds than goals in all four games), but the Redlegs booted 4.1-25 to 0.1-1 in the opening quarter to set themselves up.

Centrals didn’t start the second quarter much better, burning the ball with some costly skill errors.

Charlie Molan made the most of a terrible turnover at the 50m arc, taking the intercept mark and running the ball all the way into the goalsquare for the Redlegs fifth goal. It meant a 31-point lead at the 15-minute mark of the second term.

From there, Norwood blew a couple of chances, and Centrals worked their way into the contest, finding a first goal through Ethan East.

Both sides were costly in front of goal, and Norwood could only manage the Molan goal in a tight second quarter, as rain continued to fall.

At half time, Norwood led by 24 points 5.5-35 to 1.5-11, and also led inside 50m +16, clearances +4, marks +7 and disposals +50m – but the Bulldogs were hanging in the contest, as the Redlegs struggled to convert (both sides booting 1.4 in the second term).

The first goal of  the second half was important, as Norwood had left the door open, and it came with back to back majors through Murphy and Jayden Gale with perfect set shots to quickly extend the margin to 35 points.

It seemed one more goal was going to be a bridge too far in the last term, and Gale booted a second goal for the quarter to make it a 42-point margin at three quarter time, 8.7-55 to 1.7-13.

The Redlegs were ruthless and ground the Bulldogs into the turf with two more goals to captain Jacob Kennerley and Matthew Harms to round out the 49-point dominant win.

Leading ball winners on the ground were all Redlegs – Rokahr had 31 disposals, Declan Hamilton 26, Cooper Murley 26, Baynen Lowe 24, Ben Simpson 24 and Kennerley 23 and a goal. Former GWS Giant Josh Fahey had the most for Centrals with 23 disposals in a day to forget for his side.

Norwood bullied the Bulldogs in every facet, with +11 disposals, +35 marks, +4 tackles, +9 clearances and +30 inside 50m entries.

The Redlegs next Saturday head to their Regional Zone of the Eyre Peninsula, taking on West Adelaide at Port Lincoln’s Centenary Oval.

Norwood 4.1, 5.5, 8.7, 10.11 – 71

Central District 0.1, 1.5, 1.7, 2.10 – 22

Goals: Gale 2, Harms 2, Murphy 2, Binder, Kennerley, Molan, Swinnerton