Redlegs U18s squander fast start

Norwood would have been disappointed not to go on with a fast start at Prospect Oval on Sunday, kicking just one goal after quarter time and going down to North Adelaide by seven points.

It rained all day at Prospect, but the Redlegs started perfectly, kicking four goals to one in the opening term to lead by 16 points at the first break.

Coming back from the break, the Roosters managed the only three goals of the second term to reclaim the lead at half time, 4.4-28 to 4.2-26.

As the oval chopped up, the game became a hard slog with Norwood laying 117 tackles to North’s 74, with repeat stoppages having an impact, as the Roosters won clearance 44-27.

North and Norwood could only manage one goal apiece in the second half, with the Redlegs finding theirs through Riley Pugsley before three quarter time.

It was the only major of the third term, as North booted 0.4, which helped Norwood to a one point lead at the final break.

The fourth term was scoreless for nearly 12 minutes, as neither side gave an inch. The ball lived in Norwood’s forward half with 11-6 final quarter inside 50m entries, but North managed to keep the Redlegs scoreless.

Cohen Denne landed the killer blow, with the only goal of the deciding quarter at the 16-minute mark, and the Roosters were able to rush another “handy point” late in the game to make it a tough task. It was enough for the Roosters to go on and claim victory.

Every result is crucial at this time of the U18 season, as a win would have elevated Norwood to second on the ladder… amazingly a loss slid the Redlegs to seventh. Just two wins separate first and last in an incredibly tight 2026 season.

Norwood 4.1, 4.2, 5.3, 5.3 – 33

North Adelaide 1.3, 4.4, 4.8, 5.10 – 40

Goals: Myall 2, M. Jones, Pugsley, Sorensen

Best: Eddie Graham, Michael Owen, Eddie Sorensen, William Tanner, Lachlan Smith

Norwood was no match for North Adelaide’s U16s side, going down by 87 points in wet conditions at Prospect Oval on Sunday. 

The second placed Roosters kicked six goals to one in the first term to set the tone. Norwood put up a fight to start the second quarter with back to back goals, but from there the Roosters managed the next nine unanswered to set up the big win.

Kalani Fraser was Norwood’s leading ball winner with 22 disposals and six clearances, while ruck Patrick Boehm had 19 touches, seven clearances and a goal.

Norwood 1.0, 3.2, 3.2, 4.3 – 27

North Adelaide 6.2, 9.5, 15.8, 17.12 – 114

Goals: Boehm, Cranwell, De Lucia, Rachwal

Best: Harry McCarthur, Patrick Boehm, Kalani Fraser, Henry Emanuele, Cailan Edward Rachwal