Underage Reports Round 6

With college pre-season games beginning, we went into our game against South Adelaide with 13 changes to our side. Despite over half of our team changing from the previous week, we were confident that after a successful pre-season, we would continue to play our strong Norwood brand of football. That is exactly what we saw happen for four quarters at Flinders University Stadium.

In a hard-fought contest, we showed great resilience and strength throughout the game as our players continued to play our brand of football. For many of our players, it was their first taste of SANFL U18 football this season and they showed they are more than ready to compete at this level.

Tyson Walls led the team from the middle of the ground with 25 disposals, six clearances, five tackles and a goal, while Van Wyk ensured we got first look at the ball from the ruck. Van Wyk played an important role around the ground as he took four contested pack marks, kicked one goal, and finished with 17 disposals. Dannen Blacker had a breakout game in the forward line with 19 disposals, three tackles and three goals. Our back six held up strong throughout the day led by Riley Verrall, 25 disposals, Archie Richardson, 21 disposals, and Logan Evans, 18 disposals.

The win gives us great confidence as we move into the next phase of the season with our college players now unavailable through the school year. Well done to our non-college players for stepping up to the challenge and coming ready to compete hard for four quarters.

Michael Knoll

SCOREBOARD:

SOUTH ADELAIDE: 1.2 4.2 6.7 8.9 (57)

NORWOOD: 2.2 5.4 8.5 11.8 (74)

GOALS: Blacker 3, Mu, Walls, Grosser, Pitt, Van Wyk, Wanganeen, Rahui, Tomney

BEST:

Round seven started with a new look team due to college football. College football hits us hard but we see it as a real positive to provide other opportunities to players who normally might not get the chance. We also introduced six players from the Eyre Peninsula.

Within the first five minutes, it felt like South had gone inside many times, but our backline stood up well. We were able to find a way through South’s defence with a good handball from Oz Polkinghorne which allowed us some open space. Tristan Edwards was inside 50 in a one on one and with a touch pick up and kick he put through the first of the game.

Over the space of the first and second quarter, we matched it with South Adelaide in intensity and real competitive nature. South was more polished, which allowed them to open a 25-point lead at the long break. Tristan Edwards was exciting up forward with three goals from three opportunities and plenty of defensive pressure.

After half time we fell away, and South’s talent and skills came to the party. We battled hard but need to understand that to play at this level we must not stop and need to concentrate for a full game.

Anthony Mustaca was a standout and Oz Richardson (Tumby Bay) had a strong influence around the ball. We felt for three quarters Ezra Foster (Tumby Bay) was excellent down back before finishing with an injury.

SCOREBOARD:

SOUTH ADELAIDE: 2.6 6.8 10.13 15.21 (111)

NORWOOD: 1.0 3.1 3.2 3.2 (20)

BEST: Mustaca, Daw, Foster, Richardson, Kirchofer

GOALS: Edwards 3