U18 & U16 Seasons draw to a close

Norwood’s U18 season has come to an end with a narrow 13-point loss to the third placed Sturt at Unley Oval on Saturday.

The Redlegs fought right the way to the end, and led by one point with five minutes to play, but the Double Blues kicked the last two goals to claim an 8.12-60 to 7.5-47 win.

The lead changed hands four times in a tight second half.

Norwood trailed by 13 points at half time, 5.4-34 to 3.3-21 but kicked the only three goals of the third term through Jay Polkinghorne, Aiden Turner and Connor Puckridge to take a four-point lead into three quarter time.

Sturt kicked 1.3 in the opening eight minutes of the final term to reclaim the lead, before Redlegs forward Charlie Turnbull found space inside 50m, took an uncontested mark and went back to nail the goal to give the visitors a one point lead.

Unfortunately it was Norwood’s only score of the last quarter. It took Sturt almost 10 minutes to manage the next score, a goal through Sam White to reclaim the lead, before Sam Waltham kicked the sealer in the dying moments of the game.

Daniel Thompson finished with 27 disposals, seven marks and five tackles for the Redlegs in a best on ground performance, while Ethan Pugsley had 23 touches and a goal.

Polkinghorne was another standout performer with two goals from 14 disposals.

Norwood’s U18 season concluded with three wins from 18 matches.

The Redlegs U16s season also wrapped up on Saturday with a big loss to ladder leaders Sturt.

Norwood was completely out played by the Double Blues, who ran out 23.16-154 to 1.3-9 winners.

Redlegs captain Blake Jones again led the way with 19 disposals, 10 tackles and four clearances, while Sam Bartel had 13 disposals and five tackles and Thomas Gribben 13 disposals and three clearances.

The U16s concluded 2024 with two wins next to their name.