The Redlegs led by as much as 51-points, only to be pegged back by the fast finishing Dogs who kicked seven final term goals to almost run away with the win. Without the midfield class of Matthew Nunn and small forward Ed Smart, the Redlegs controlled majority of the possession for most of the day with Centrals scoring a lot of their early goals from turnovers.
Matthew Panos gave the visitors the perfect start inside the first two minutes. Centrals however piled on three goals in a row to extend their margin to 13-points midway through the first term. Norwood replied instantly to kick the final three goals of term courtesy of Peter Bampton, Cole Gerloff and Will Abbott.
The second term started as the first ended with Norwood well on top of their opponents. Dom Barry was finding plenty of the ball, along with Lewis Johnston who had 17 disposals midway through the quarter.
On his Norwood debut, upcoming youngster Dylan Stephens kicked the Redlegs first of the term after some neat work from Cody Szust to find Stephens who nailed his shot from 30 metres out. Bampton found space two minutes after to kick his second, while Luke Surman who was quiet in the first term managed to kick two in the space of five minutes to extend Norwood’s lead to 27-points.
The third term was all Norwood, as the Redlegs ability to spread from contest allowed them to generate several inside 50 entries. Barry found plenty of the ball, while midfield duo Panos and Grigg began to find plenty of the ball. Norwood piled on three more majors to Centrals’ one, opening a 41-point lead heading into the final stanza. With Norwood well on top in all areas, Centrals came out with a clear plan to run over the Redlegs.
Centrals midfielders in Travis Schiller and Kyle Presbury started to find plenty of the ball as they kicked five goals in a row to send a scare to the Norwood faithful. Luckily for Norwood, Bampton ended the Dogs momentum by kicking his third of the day, however Centrals had plenty more to give. Murray Stephensen had the chance to win it for the Dogs, however his effort went just wide of the goals after he was pressured well by Brad McKenzie.
Norwood now move up to second on the SANFL Statewide Super League Ladder with a nail-biting three-point win. Lewis Johnston nearly nudged 40 disposals for the second week in succession while recruit Dom Barry enjoyed the wide-open spaces at Elizabeth to notch 34 disposals and seven marks. Key Norwood defender Michael Talia got through his first Statewide Super League game back to finish with 21 disposals and 12 marks.
Norwood will now build up for next Friday night’s blockbuster against Sturt at The Parade.
Next Game: Round 3
Friday April 12, 2019 @ Coopers Stadium
Reserves 4:50pm, League 7:20pm
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All photos by John Emery | All photos are the property of the Norwood Football Club and John Emery.
Credits:
All photos by John Emery