Teams: Key players return for Semi Final

Norwood will be aiming to qualify for their 55th SANFL Grand Final appearance when they take on Central District in the Second Semi Final at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.

The Redlegs earned automatic qualification to the Semi Final and a week’s rest after finishing as minor premiers in the home-and-away season.

Finn Heard, Jackson Callow, Declan Hamilton and Isaac Saywell have been named on an extended bench for the Semi Final.

Callow (knee) and Hamilton (ankle) both missed the win over Woodville-West Torrens in the last minor round game, while F. Heard has been out since Round 16 with an ankle issue.

All three have been major contributors this season, with Callow leading the club’s goalkicking, F. Heard sitting seventh in the League for contested marks and Hamilton placing ninth at the club for disposals.

Saywell has been in good form in Norwood’s Reserves in recent weeks.

Matthew Panos will make his long awaited return from a knee injury through the Reserves on Saturday, as will Connor McLean who has been out of the side with a groin injury since Round 13. The Reserves take on Sturt at Coopers Stadium on Saturday, 10:30am.

Panos has been out with a knee injury since Round 4, and has since been stranded on 149 League games.

Norwood’s SANFL side have won seven of their past eight meetings with Central District, while the Bulldogs won the most recent final between the pair in the 2017 Elimination Final.

The Redlegs took the points in both meetings with Central District in the home-and-away season, defeating the Doggies by 50 points at Elizabeth in Round 7 and 42 points at The Parade in Round 15.

Both clubs will go into this match in good form, with Norwood winning eight of their past nine games, while Centrals have won four of their past five.

The Bulldogs are riding a wave of emotion after a stirring comeback win against Sturt in last week’s Qualifying Final, kicking the last seven goals of the game to erase a 30-point deficit and win by 11.

The winner of this Semi Final will advance directly to the Grand Final on Sunday, 22 September, while the loser will take on the winner of the Sturt V Glenelg clash next Sunday in the Preliminary Final.

Norwood’s Reserves will also play for a spot in the Grand Final when they take on Sturt in the Semi Final this Saturday from 10:30am at Coopers Stadium.

Entry is free until half time of the Reserves clash, with the Adelaide Footy League Division 7 Grand Finals to take place from 12:45pm.