Trial Match Teams & Snr Footy Update

This Saturday’s Trial Match between Norwood and Central District has been moved forward due to extreme heat forecast this weekend. 

The Redlegs travel to Elizabeth to take on the Bulldogs, with the Reserves to kick off at 9:15am and League 11:30am. These are the most updated times.

Norwood captain Jacob Kennerley returns for his first run of the 2025, as does Declan Hamilton in an otherwise settled line up from the Tasmanian Trial match last Sunday.

Scroll down for the full Trial match squads.

The club is exceptionally happy with the Trial match and experience in Hobart last weekend, with the Senior Men’s side recording a resounding win over the Tassie Representative squad, 16.16-112 to 7.3-45.

Aside from the re-injuring of Ethan Warburton’s shoulder, there were very positive signs from the Redlegs first hitout of 2025.

Warburton managed just one League match in 2024 following a pre-season shoulder injury, and he looks set for another extended stint on the sidelines.

Alastair Lord was a late out of the Tasmania Trial match with a scaphoid injury sustained at training last week. He is expected to miss a couple of weeks.

Will Rowlands also sustained a shoulder injury last week, and will be out for an extended length of time.

Matt Ling and Mitch O’Neill are recovering well from foot and ankle injuries and should be back to full training in the next few weeks.

Luke Surman rucked last week in Tasmania and continues his great form from the pre-season.

Surman rucked well against former AFL ruckman Andrew Phillips in the Tasmanian Trial, and was among Norwood’s best performers. He’s in great form, moving well, injury free and raring to go in 2025.

Other good performers during the Tasmanian Trial, were Izaak Twelftree who kicked three goals, as well as Billy Cootee and the Heard brothers.

Coaching staff were also thrilled with the performance of new recruits Connor Ling and Mitch Nicholas who looked right at home in a Norwood guernsey.

The Redlegs have another Trial Match at Alberton Oval on Sunday, March 16, prior to Round 1 on Saturday, March 29.

Norwood’s Senior Women’s side has a bye before Round 1 on Saturday, March 15, while the Development League side also has a bye ahead of Round 3 on the same day.

Despite going down to a strong Tasmanian side in a thriller, 5.3-33 to 4.6-30, Norwood’s SANFLW coach Brad Ferrall is confident of a strong season, which kicks off against the reigning Premiers in Noarlunga.

Last year’s leading goal kicker Kiana Lee was again impressive with two goals, while Shai Hiscock was also excellent in the Tasmania match.

The Senior Women’s are close to full strength, but Tahlita Buethke is recovering from an ankle injury.

The Development league side have had an outstanding start to the season, winning their first two matches against Glenelg and Central District convincingly.

Jiarna Zerella has been outstanding to start the season, while young players Isabella Calvanese (four goals from two games) and Elke Cameron have also been excellent.