Round 13 Underage Reports

Being, the third time we have played North Adelaide this season, we knew that it would require a strong team performance to beat the Roosters who sit at top of the table.

The energy was high to start the game, however, overusing the ball in our defensive 50 costs us and the Roosters took advantage of our sloppy kicking and started the game with three unanswered goals. Despite the poor start, we were able to respond with three unanswered goals of our own and head into the first break with a one-point lead. In the second quarter, North took the ascendancy, kicking four goals to one as we moved away from playing Norwood football and let the Roosters dictate the game.

However, after the main break, our Redlegs brought the attack on the football and got back to playing our strong brand of Norwood football. In the third quarter, we put four unanswered goals on the scoreboard before the Roosters kicked one, giving us just a two-point lead at three-quarter time.

With the Redlegs providing consistent pressure on the football in the fourth, the Roosters fell away as we kicked five unanswered goals in the final quarter and won the game by 36-points.

Max Michalanney and Logan Evans starred in our defence, having 21 disposals, 9 marks and 28 disposals, 7 marks respectively. The two defenders were crucial in halting North’s attack on goal. In the midfield Josh Bradford and Tyson Walls competed well, finishing with 25 disposals, eight clearances and 24 disposals and two goals respectively. Noah Hyde and Declan Tomney were also strong contributors in the midfield finishing with 22 disposals, one goal, four clearances and 20 disposals, one goal respectively. Up forward Phoenix Foster provided a tall target as he took five marks and kicked three goals. Beau Baldwin also finished with two goals for the day.

Overall, it was a great team win and shows what our group is capable of when everyone is willing to buy into playing Norwood football.

SCOREBOARD:

NORTH ADELAIDE: 3.1 7.5 8.7 8.8 (56)

NORWOOD: 3.2 4.4 8.9 13.4 (92)

GOALS: Foster 3, Baldwin 2, Walls 2, Pedler, Laas, Polkinghorne, Tomney

BEST: Michalanney, Bradford, Walls, Hyde, Evans, Foster

After a great win against a top-four team in the Eagles in Round 12, we were off to face the Roosters who sit top of the 16s for 2022. The players were really looking forward to the challenge. In selection, we were only forced to make three changes, which had been the smallest amount all year. We also knew both sides had some really good players out which meant it was going to be a close game.

We started slowly, and I felt North dominated early. Our backline was under extreme pressure early but held up well. North kicked the first of the contest, so it was going to be interesting to see how our boys responded. When we were able to control the ball, we moved the ball well which resulted in goals from very limited inside 50s.

The second quarter started the same way, but we wrestled the momentum and were able to kick a couple of unanswered goals. We went in at halftime up by a couple of goals, but down -10 on inside 50’s. The boys knew that when we went inside quickly, we looked dangerous.

After halftime, it was a real arm wrestle, however to our boys credit we learnt from our mistakes against West a few rounds ago and the character they showed was outstanding. Our boys were challenged and stood up to a team that will play finals in 2022. That is two in a row now with us taking on South Adelaide at home, who now sit top due to us beating North.

Winners by five points.

Great effort boys.

Also want to touch on the efforts of one of our captains Jacob Newton who has been outstanding representing Norwood playing for the SA U/16 team in their recent championship win.

Jacob is an outstanding person and ripper footballer. Jacob is one to watch for the future.

SCOREBOARD:

NORTH ADELAIDE: 2.2 5.2 8.3 9.7 (61)

NORWOOD: 3.2 7.3 9.5 10.6 (66)

GOALS: Errol Wood 3, Sam Paris 2, Will Prescott, Max Barilla, Ned Bowman, Ben Hogan, Anthony Mustaca

BEST: Kane Halfpenny, Ned Bowman, Levi Johnston, Anthony Mustaca, Jeff Rozenbilds