Round 13 Coach’s Review

Norwood Senior Coach Jade Sheedy acknowledged that Saturday’s eight-point defeat to Glenelg is a reminder that his team needs to keep growing its game as the pointy end of the season approaches.

In a tough and spirited top-of-the-table clash at Coopers Stadium, the Tigers seemingly had all the answers as they inflicted Norwood’s first loss since Round 2 – also against Glenelg.

The home side enjoyed a strong start to lead by 13 points at the first break, but the Bays soon responded with eight goals to three across the second and third terms to put the game out of reach.

Speaking to The Redlegs Review podcast, Sheedy noted that Glenelg’s superior efficiency in the forward half was a major factor in the result.

“I felt we started well, but we didn’t maximise our opportunities through the first quarter and early in the second, which could have put some more scoreboard pressure on,” Sheedy said

“They (Glenelg) ended up being more efficient in the third quarter once they got the ball in their front half, and they nailed their shots on goal.”

“At the final break I spoke to the group about continuing to challenge the opposition with how we want to play. We saw some good signs of that and had some opportunities late and a couple of shots on goal, but we just couldn’t quite convert opportunities and never closed that gap.”

After analysing the middle portion of the game, Sheedy identified the Tigers’ superior contest work as the main gap between the two sides on the day.

“They are a really good side and dominated periods of the second and third quarters and the game was played in quite a skinny contest type of style.”

“I thought they were cleaner on the night in what were pretty greasy conditions for both sides and they were cleaner with the ball and their fundamentals.

“That can sound simple, but when you watch the game back, it is what we saw on the night, and when you’re talking small margins, all these things matter.”

While disappointed with the loss, Sheedy is keen to use the result as another opportunity for his team to grow and develop their game against the top teams.

“We have been really mindful of growing our game while we have been winning. We have lost three games now by a total of 21 points, which is not a lot, but there are some signs that our game needs to get better and keep challenging the opposition in our way.”

“It is a good reminder for the group that we’ve still got lots of growth in our game, and while there are lots of good parts of it, it’s about tweaking to keep maximising against what the opposition is now trying to take away from us.”

Despite the defeat, Sheedy also pointed to several aspects of the game he was pleased with, including the hot start that saw Norwood kick three of the game’s first four goals.

“I think we have started games well for a little while now and the weekend was no different. We had a certain way we wanted to play against them and that was going to be our challenge when the heat was on.”

“I thought we nailed that early and kicked some goals from some good defensive efforts and transition footy.

“I was really pleased with the first quarter, and it looked like a really good Norwood game, but as most good opponents do, they got their chances throughout the game and converted their opportunities.”

Sheedy also reserved praise for his defensive unit, which kept the dangerous Glenelg forward line to their third-lowest score for the season.

“I thought our defenders were pretty good. (Liam) McBean and (Lachie) Hosie are always going to kick goals.”

“They have kicked about 46% of Glenelg’s score this year and have scored heavily over a long period of time, so I think at the start of the game if you said we could keep them to six goals between them we would be reasonably happy.

“McBean kicked one from a handball in the goal square and another from a ruck free kick, so I thought Jack (Heard) did a really good job on him, and likewise with Tom (Donnelly) on Hosie.

“When they (Glenelg) look for those players and isolate them so much, they can be relatively hard to defend when they get their transition game going. We kept them to 64 points for the night, but we could manage only 56, which is probably what was most disappointing.”

Sheedy was similarly impressed with the efforts of key forward Jackson Callow, who sparked Norwood’s resurgence with a crucial goal late in the third term along with some outstanding contested marks.

“Jackson’s third quarter in particular really showed the quality of forward he is, and he often competed against two or three players to take those marks.”

The coach also provided an update on some of Norwood’s injured players, including Luke Surman and Jett Dahlitz, who both sustained injuries in the reserves.

“Luke has hurt his knee, so we’re not quite sure of the extent of that just yet. He will get a scan and see what that looks like. Jett has an ankle issue and he’ll get a scan as well, so we will know more at training.”

Meanwhile, Baynen Lowe and Harry Boyd are both nearing returns after stints on the sidelines, with Sheedy confirming both are on schedule with their recovery.

They will be looking at around Round 16. Lowey has started running again, which is great for him and the group. Harry has done a power of work, but it’s more around his hand healing so that when he comes back, he is ready to go.

“We have got two more games and then a bye, so all things going well, we would like to think they will return sometime after the bye, but we’ll know more in a week or two.”

The Redlegs now turn their attention to a crunch clash with West Adelaide at Richmond Oval on Saturday, with Sheedy keen to respond to last week’s defeat.

“They are pretty in tune with how they want to play and defend, and they are going to put a lot of pressure on the ball when we’ve got it, so it will be much like the game on the weekend.”

“It will be a really good test for us to bounce back and see how our game stacks up against another really good side that values contest and coming forward to defend.”

Listen to Jade Sheedy’s full interview here: