Club News

Twelftree to don the King’s #4

5 hours ago – February 28, 2025

Young forward Izaak Twelftree will wear Norwood’s number 4 guernsey in 2025, taking over the reins from “The King” Matthew Panos.

The former Norwood captain, Panos, retired at the end of last season following 150 SANFL matches, two SANFL Premierships, a Jack Oatey Medal and Michael Taylor B&F Medal.

Dubbed “The King”, Panos always found a way to stand up in key moments, firstly winning the 2015 Jack Oatey Medal as best on ground in the Grand Final, before “that goal” put Norwood in front with seconds to go in the 2022 SANFL Grand Final.

Now it’s time for Panos to pass on his famous number 4, which has also been worn by the likes of James Gallagher, Kevin Gallagher, Bert Schumacher and Warren Packer.

Now the number 4 will be on the back of Twelftree, who won the SANFL’s Powerade Breakthrough Player award in 2024.

Twelftree went from playing two matches in 2023, to all 20 in 2024, taking his game to new heights.

He kicked 26 goals, including six against South Adelaide in Round 17, and became a contested marking machine in Norwood’s forward line.

It’s the fourth time in as many years that Twelftree’s updated his playing guernsey (54, 43, 29, 4) but it looks like he’s here to stay in “The King’s” chair.

“I’m pumped to play in the number 4, it’s an honour to be wearing Panos’s number,” Twelftree said.

“Everyone was a bit nervous to put their hand up for it, because of what he’s done for the club so hopefully I can live up to it.

“Nos has been great for me, he’s the most welcoming and helpful bloke. He means so much to the club so for me it’s been surreal to have someone like that to play alongside. He gives you so much time to teach you things, he’s helped me develop my game, and just watching him is inspiring.

“I have only played a few games with him, but the class he plays with is amazing, he’s the best player I’ve played with.

“I’m happy in the number 4, won’t be changing numbers any time soon.”

Panos wished Twelftree all the best in the guernsey he wore since 2013.

“I am really happy that Izaak’s going to wear the number 4, and to pass that over to him is special. Hopefully he can have a long career and can end up with his name on the locker playing 100 games,” Panos said.

“There’s been a lot of amazing players to wear number 4 – James Gallagher was the number 4 before me, and being a young Norwood fan he was someone I admired. Gags was my favourite player growing up.

“Handing my guernsey over feels like the final chapter of my playing days at Norwood.”

Panos praised the work Twelftree had done to improve his game.

“Izaak came to Norwood from Pembroke OS Football Club, and he has worked so hard over the last few years,” Panos said.

“He took great leaps in 2023 and got to play a couple League games, and then his year in 2024 was amazing, he was one of our most consistent and best forwards. He was deservedly the SANFL’s Powerade Breakthrough Player.

“He works so hard, has done so many extras, he does the team things, he does the hard work, gets into good positions, and he’s a selfless player. He’s come so far in recent years.”

Seven players have played 100+ matches in the number 4, including three-time premiership players Bert Schumacher and Kevin Gallagher, as well as James Gallagher, Levington Chinnery, Warren Packer, Stephen Daniels and Panos.

Norwood also has a new number 1 in town, with second-year Redleg Cooper Murley updating from 27 to 1.

Finn Heard’s breakout season was also rewarded, moving from 40 to 8.

After debuting late in the season, up and coming defender Calem Krollig will wear 15 (was 58), and Jake Cresswell has moved to 21 (was 36).

New faces, Charlie Molan (18), Will Rowlands (22), Tom McCallum (27) and Jack Aherne (38) have also received their numbers.

Check out the full list below.

1 > Cooper Murley (was 27)

4 > Izaak Twelftree (was 29)

8 > Finn Heard (was 40)

15 > Calem Krollig (was 58)

18 > Charlie Molan

21 > Jake Cresswell (was 36)

22 > Will Rowlands