Reigning Premiers too strong for Norwood in Round 1

Norwood took on the hardest road trip in the SANFL Women’s competition, South Adelaide in Noarlunga, and were outclassed by the back-to-back Reigning Premiers in the Round 1 clash.

The Redlegs started well, but were overrun by the Panthers, who ran out 26-point winners 5.10-40 to 2.2-14, with most of the damage taking place in a four-goal-to-one second quarter.

Norwood debuted four players, Amy Gaedtke, Ashley Baker and Amalie Innes playing their first games for the Redlegs, and Isabella Calvanese who made her SANFL Women’s debut.

Former Central District coach, Ben Hunt also coached his first game for the Redlegs in the Round 1 match.

After stemming the flow in the first term when Norwood had 12 inside 50m to four (for no score), the Panthers put the foot down in a powerful second term with four unanswered goals to put a gap on the game.

The half time lead was 26 points, which seemed too big a mountain to climb for the young Redlegs side which included six teenagers. It was an even second half, both on the scoreboard and in general play, which suited the Panthers, who cruised victory.

Hunt would have been happy with his side’s effort after half time, holding the Panthers goalless (0.6 to 1.0 in the second half).

Norwood had all the run early, registering the first four inside 50m entries of the afternoon, but it was the Panthers who kicked the opening goal against the flow.

That was the tale of the first term, as Norwood recorded 12 inside 50m entries to just four, but the Panthers were able to score three times, while holding the Redlegs scoreless.

At quarter time, it was 1.2-8 to 0.0-0.

New captain Jade Halfpenny started well with five disposals. Coby Morgan and Lana Schwerdt also had five touches to quarter time.

It was ominous signs for the Redlegs to start the second term, as the Panthers started to dominate field position, and were able to find the first goal of the quarter through Doreena Hansen.

In a powerful display, the Panthers managed four goals in 12 minutes to put a 34-point gap between the teams.

Elle Lineage ran through the Redlegs first goal of the match, and the season, just before half time to make it 5.4-34 to 1.2-8 at the main break.

Norwood started to show some better signs later in the second term, as Charlee Brooksby and Lani Cocks began to get their hand on the ball, and run the ball towards goal.

Brooksby booted two behinds late in the quarter, and had 10 disposals to half time. Cocks also had 10 disposals, while Halfpenny led all-comers on the field with 16 disposals and three clearances.

The third quarter was an even arm wrestle, with neither team managing a goal. The Redlegs were strong in the contest, but South had the game right where they wanted it, leading by 27 points going into the last quarter.

It was a similar story in the final term, as Cocks booted Norwood’s second goal of the afternoon, as the Redlegs were able to hold South to just six behinds after half time.

Back to back reigning best and fairest for Norwood, Halfpenny, had 23 disposals, three clearances and six marks in her first game as captain.

Morgan had 20 disposals, and Cocks 19.

Norwood will be looking to get its first win on the board against North Adelaide at Prospect’s Revo Fitness Oval in an Anzac Day clash next Saturday.

Norwood 0.0, 1.2, 1.2, 2.2 – 14

South Adelaide 1.2, 5.4, 5.5, 5.10 – 40

Goals: Lineage, Cocks

Best: Lani Cocks, Jade Halfpenny, Coby Morgan, Emily Bartsch, Georgie Jaques

Norwood’s U18 Girls have squandered a chance to host a home Semi Final, instead the Redlegs will travel to X Convenience Oval on Saturday to take on South Adelaide.

The Redlegs needed to win their final minor round match of the season in order to host the Semi, but the Panthers proved far too strong in a 4.5-29 to 0.3-3 victory.

Norwood was missing several players due to State U16 Girls commitments, but had it all to play for at Magain Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

It was South’s day from the outset, kicking three unanswered goals in the opening quarter to put the Redlegs on the back foot.

The Panthers kicked a fourth early in the second term to all-but seal victory, as Norwood was held goalless for the Round 7 clash.

Captain Molly Sennar led the way for Norwood with 18 disposals, while Rile Pearson had 17, as the visitors struggled to contain the Panthers star midfielders.

Zoe Flesfader had an incredible afternoon for the Panthers, with 35 disposals, eight clearances, nine tackles and 10 marks in the 18-minute quarters. Lily Dunstall had 25 disposals, and Alexis Harvey 19.

Norwood finished third on the SANFL U18 Girls Ladder after the seven-round season, and will take on second placed South Adelaide in Saturday’s Semi Final in Elizabeth, starting at 7pm.

Minor Premiers Central District, second placed South and third placed Norwood all finished with a 5-2 record, with percentage separating the three sides.

Sturt rounded out the top four with a 4-3 record, and will face the Bulldogs on Saturday, prior to the Redlegs game.

Winners of the knock out Semi Finals will head straight into the Grand Final on May 2.

Norwood 0.0, 0.2, 0.3, 0.3 – 3

South Adelaide 3.1, 4.3, 4.3, 4.3 -29

Best: Sennar, Lihou, Johns, Scardigno, R. Pearson