Redlegs come from behind to defeat Bulldogs

For the second straight week, Norwood had to overcome brave opposition and a multiple-goal deficit to secure a tough victory. 

Last week it was West Adelaide at Richmond, and on Sunday at Coopers Stadium it was Central District, having to come from 16 points down at half time to turn things around and claim a 13-point win.

Noah Daw made his debut in the absence of Tom Donnelly, who was a late withdrawal due to a hamstring complaint.

Aaron Francis was back in the side, and slotted back into defence nicely with 20 disposals and seven marks. Nik Rokahr was incredible in the midfield with 42 disposals and eight clearances.

Jayden Gale kicked four goals, while Connor Ling, Tristan Binder and Jacob Kennerley each booted two.

The Redlegs were under the pump from a Centrals side that brought the heat from the first bounce.

Norwood managed 18 inside 50m entries to the Bulldogs nine in the opening term, but their defence did well to stand up under the pressure of repeat entries.

Gale booted the first goal of the game, as Alex Swinnerton switched across goal to find the small forward 20m out directly in front.

Unlike the Redlegs, the Bulldogs did well to score four times from their nine entries, with goals to Anzac Lochowiak and Max Monaghan to get the visitors underway.

Binder and Kennerley kicked goals late in the first term to take a six-point lead into quarter time, 3.2-20 to 2.2-14.

It was all Centrals in a dominant second quarter, who booted five goals to Norwood’s one.

The onslaught from the ninth placed Bulldogs took the Redlegs by surprise, and Centrals again made the most of their 12 inside 50m entries in the second quarter – scoring six times, 5.1 to the hosts’ 1.2, including two classy goals from the Coopers Hill pocket.

The Redlegs were getting plenty of the ball (+43 disposals at half time), but everything was under pressure, and Norwood struggled to transition the ball through the middle of the ground and into their forward line.

Jackson Callow, Binder and Max Hodges didn’t have anything coming easy, as Centrals midfielders and defenders did well to pressure every Norwood touch.

Rokahr had 20 disposals to half time, Kade Dittmar 16 and Finn Heard 16 and the only second quarter goal. Josh Fahey had 16 disposals for the impressive Bulldogs.

Norwood trailed 7.3-45 to 4.5-29 at the main break.

It was a different game after half time, with the Redlegs hitting the ground running to quickly erase the 16-point half time deficit, and build a lead of their own.

It ended up a 6.5 to 1.0 quarter to put the Redlegs in the box seat, leading by 17 points at the final break

The first goal of the third came within 30 seconds, as the Redlegs went forward from the centre clearance, and ending with Gale’s second goal.

Gale finished with three goals in the third term, while Kennerley kicked a second goal, identical to his first in front of the Premiers Bar, and Binder nailed a snap from the Coopers Hill pocket on the siren to round out a perfect quarter.

At 10.10-70 to 8.5-53 at the final break, Centrals weren’t done, kicking the first two goals of the final quarter to quickly bring the margin back to five points.

C. Ling booted two important steadying goals in the final term, while M. Hodges ran the tightrope of the boundary line to run in another crucial goal.

Charlie Molan booted the sealer with a straightforward set shot, before Fahey kicked the last goal of the game for Centrals.

Norwood have a Bye next week, before a big final month, travelling to Alberton and Woodville, whilst hosting the Roosters and Crows.

Norwood 3.2, 4.5, 10.10, 14.13 – 97

Central District 2.2, 7.3, 8.5, 13.6 – 84

Goals:  Gale 4, Binder 2, Kennerley 2, C. Ling 2, F. Heard, M. Hodges, Molan, Sanders

Best: Rokahr, Gale, Kennerley, F. Heard, Dittmar

Norwood claimed a 36-point win over the bottom of the ladder Central District in Round 15 of the Reserves competition on Sunday, but the six-goal result didn’t tell the full story.

The Redlegs led by as much as 72 points in the final quarter, before the Bulldogs kicked the last seven goals of the match.

Norwood put the game to bed with a five goal to one first quarter, kicking the first three goals of the match within six minutes, through Tyson Walls, Liam Ling and Josh Murphy.

Murphy kicked three first quarter goals, and finished with four for the match.

The Redlegs kicked another three goals in the second term, and led by 46 points at half time, whilst holding the Bulldogs to just one goal.

Norwood kicked another six goals to two in the third quarter, to lead by 71 points at the final break, but were held goalless in the final term.

Daniel Gauci finished with 35 disposals and a goal, Walls had 30 disposals and two goals, while Jim Kelly had 28 touches.

Norwood 5.2, 8.9 14.11, 14.18 – 102

Central District 1.3, 1.5, 3.6, 10.6 – 66

Goals: Murphy 4, Harms 2, Walls 2, Aherne, Gauci, Hodge, Lennon, L. Ling, Prescott

Best: Tyson Walls, Toby Callow, Jim Kelly, Joshua Murphy, Daniel Gauci