Sheeds’ Round 10 Review

Norwood Senior Coach Jade Sheedy has reflected positively on the Redlegs 52-point win over South Adelaide at The Parade on Sunday, crediting a strong start in paving the way to victory.

The home side jumped out to a 33-point lead at quarter time after kicking six unanswered goals in a powerful display of football, before extending the margin to 48 points by the main break.

“It was set up with our first quarter and we really wanted to focus on a couple of KPIs throughout the day, and that starts with the first quarter and the first contest,” Sheedy said.

Sheedy was also pleased with Norwood’s contest work and ball movement, which have both rapidly improved in recent weeks.

“I thought we were really strong around the contest and the ability to play the game in our front half and not only play it there but lock it in and get really set up behind the footy was good.”

“I thought our shape on the ground the whole day was really strong and the ability to move the ball through South was really strong as well, so we feel our footy is building and it’s taken some really strong training, so we’ll keep building on that.”

While South Adelaide responded after half time to have the better of the third quarter, Sheedy was proud of his team’s effort to finish off the game strongly in the final term.

“We always chase perfection as coaches and it’s probably asking a little bit to have really strong dominance on the game for four quarters.”

“They got us around the contest and contested possession, and when you’re losing those two stats, it’s hard to keep the ball in your forward half and play the way you want to, so credit to them.

“For our boys to respond, and we talked about that after the game, it easily could have ended up as a bit of a stalemate again in the last, so to then be able to win the arm wrestle back into our favour and to continue to play our way in the last quarter was a really good performance by the boys.”

Coming up against one of the competition’s best ruckmen in Olivier Northam, Norwood’s pairing of Luke Surman and Finn Heard won the hit-outs 46-24, with Sheedy praising both players for their efforts.

“Luke gives us the opportunity to play Finn forward more and Finn’s done a tremendous job in the first half of the year in being able to compete really strongly for us in the ruck, and he’s still a really good ruckman in his own right, but the ability to play him forward gives us different looks and different strengths.”

Sheedy was also impressed with the performances of star midfielders Billy Cootee and Jacob Kennerley, who helped Norwood win the clearance battle 36-32.

“Billy’s form has been as good as anyone in the competition over the last three weeks, and JK will never make excuses for the week before, but he was a bit sore going into Sturt, but he really freshened up over the bye and his footy was really strong on the weekend.”

Another positive aspect of the win was the effectiveness of Norwood’s defence, which limited South Adelaide to just four goals for the match and only one in the opening half.

“The seven defenders that have played together now for probably the past four or five weeks have been really strong, and it’s something we have focused on as a team to be a really strong defensive unit and that will give us the best chances to be able to be in games.”

Rebounding defender Alastair Lord in particular caught Sheedy’s eye, with the dashing half-back collecting 16 disposals and four marks in a typically composed display.

“It is probably a bit of the coaches’ directive in terms of his mindset around locking players down versus being a bit more offensive. He has got some great attributes with his ability to power through contest and move laterally and sideways and put speed on the footy with his willingness to take grass as well.”

“All players want to evolve and we know how good he is at shutting players down, but for us to keep getting better as a footy club, we need all of our players to continue to grow and he’s definitely doing that and has really spiked with his offence in the last month.”

The only sour note out of the game was a heavy knock to gun midfielder Baynen Lowe in the third quarter, however, Sheedy remains optimistic that he will be fit to take on Glenelg next week.

“We are certainly hopeful. I spoke to Lowey this morning and he said it’s feeling like a bit of a corkie in his lower back, so he’ll get some physio and some scans on it this week, but he’s feeling really good at the moment. He’s the ultimate professional, so if anyone can get up, he’ll be able to.”

Looking ahead to Saturday’s clash with Glenelg at Coopers Stadium, Sheedy acknowledged the challenge of coming up against the Tigers, who currently sit second on the ladder with a 7-3 record.

“There is no greater challenge this week against Glenelg, who are arguably, with Sturt, the best side in the competition with their ability to score. They are the number one offensive team in the competition, so it’s a good challenge for our defence and we believe our defence has been really strong, so we can’t wait.”

Norwood will be celebrating the 50-year anniversary of the club’s drought-breaking premiership against Glenelg in 1975, which Sheedy is keen to involve his playing group with throughout the week.

“It is important to acknowledge the past and what they’ve done for our footy club, and we’ve got the opportunity now as coaches and players to have our own little imprint in history and that’s what we’re trying to do.

“It is going to be great for our players to meet them (past players) and share their experiences, and they’ll be around pretty heavily on Thursday night and having a dinner here, and Saturday we’ll welcome them into the rooms and get around our present players as well.”

Watch Jade Sheedy’s full interview here: