U16s chasing finals place with fourth straight win

Norwood’s U16s ran away with an impressive 61-point win over Woodville-West Torrens at Woodville Oval on Saturday, further enhancing its chances for a return to finals football.

The Redlegs haven’t played finals at U16 level since 2019, but are now just half a game (due to Sturt’s Draw) out of the top four, with three matches remaining against West Adelaide, South Adelaide and North Adelaide.

Taking on the bottom side in the Eagles, Norwood was all over Woodville-West Torrens in the opening quarter, but sprayed the ball in front of goal with just one goal from seven scoring shots.

The second quarter was much closer, and both sides booted two goals and the half time margin remained at 11 points, 3.6-24 to 2.1-13.

The Redlegs got going after half time, kicking the only four goals of the third quarter, but again kicked six behinds to lead by 41 points at the final break.

Norwood kicked the first three goals of the last quarter to make it 61 points the margin, before the Eagles finally kicked their third and fourth goals of the game in quick succession.

Joe Kernahan and Oliver Wilkins finished with Norwood goals to help the visitors record a 12.15-87 to 4.2-26 win.

Owen Couzner finished with three goals for the Redlegs, while Joseph Nak was best on ground with two goals from 24 disposals.

Mason Tambe has had a great season in defence for Norwood, averaging 25 touches from his 14 games, and on Saturday found 31 disposals, four clearances, four tackles and a goal.

The U16s follow the SANFL’s league wide Bye (excluding the League Showdown on Saturday), before travelling to Richmond to face the third placed West Adelaide in Round 16.

Norwood 1.6, 3.6, 7.12, 12.15 – 87

WWT 0.1, 2.1, 2.1, 4.2 – 26

Goal: Couzner 3, Nak 2, Wilkins 2, Douglass, Hitch, Kernahan, Tambe

Best: Joseph Nak, Tyler Hitch, Jy Hazelhurst, Joe Kernahan, Mason Tambe

An undermanned Norwood side travelled to Woodville Oval on Saturday and were no match for the fourth placed Woodville-West Torrens, going down by 57 points.

With Jim Kelly, Noah Daw, Balyn O’Brien, Sam Ainsworth, Micah Kretschmer and Will Prescott playing Reserves on Saturday, the Redlegs struggled in the U18s and the Eagles ran out 11.17-83 to 2.14-26 winners.

The Redlegs won the clearances 28-22, but were beaten in inside 50m entries 32-56 and disposals 371-286, and when they could transition forward Norwood’s inaccuracy in front of goal cost the visitors any chance.

Norwood did well to be in the contest at half time, trailing by 22 points, as the Eagles struggled to close the door, kicking 4.8-32 to 1.4-10.

In the second half the Redlegs had plenty of chances to put some scoreboard pressure on the home side, but sprayed 1.10 in quarters three and four, while the Eagles managed 7.9.

Jeff Rozenbilds was Norwood’s best with 28 disposals, seven clearances, six tackles and a goal.

Levi Johnston had 22 disposals and Ashton Hartwig 20.

Norwood 0.1, 1.4, 1.8, 2.14 – 26

WWT 2.6, 4.8, 8.14, 11.17 – 83

Goals: Rozenbilds, Grigg

Best: Jeff Rozenbilds, Mac Seal, Luke Scott, Harvey Pearce, Thomas Neal