Match Report: Norwood claim 53-point win over South in Trial 2

Norwood ran away from South Adelaide after half time to record a 53-point win at Noarlunga’s Flinders University Stadium on Saturday.

The Redlegs would be happy with their pre-season performances, which included a six-point win over North Adelaide last Saturday, followed by a 16.10-106 to 8.5-53 win over the Panthers.

Norwood led by 11 points at half time, before stretching the lead out to 57 points early in the fourth term following seven unanswered goals.

Jackson Callow kicked four goals and took seven marks from 14 disposals, while Matt Panos, Izaak Twelftree, Finn Heard and Mitch O’Neill were the other multiple goal kickers.

Matthew Ling (17 disposals), Jack Heard (17) and Alastair Lord (14) worked well together off half back, while midfielders Billy Cootee (21 disposals), O’Neill (19), Jacob Kennerley (15), Declan Hamilton (15) and Ben Simpson (13) put together a strong performance.

Ruck Jordan Neal (19 hitouts), Cootee, O’Neill and Kennerley started in the centre bounce, as Norwood kicked to the northern end in the first term.

South captain Jake Summerton kicked the opening goal 90 seconds into the contest.

Neal – who was a strong competitor in the ruck last week – won the second centre clearance of the game and drove Norwood inside 50m, resulting in a Sam Morris shot at goal which fell short.

A second Morris shot at goal went to the left for Norwood’s first score of the afternoon, set up by a nice spoil and run from Ling and Hamilton off half back.

South was transitioning nicely through the middle of the ground, but Norwood was too strong across half back.

Kennerley again forced a turnover on the wing, getting the ball to Panos, who set up Jordon Boyle for a set shot, which floated to the right.

After 12 minutes it was 1.0-6 to 0.3-3, despite Norwood having the all the play with repeat inside 50m entries.

Another South turnover set up a fifth goal attempt, this time successful when Callow marked 10m out.

It again went forward from the centre, where North Launceston recruit Simpson won a holding the ball free kick – booting Norwood’s second major and making it a 2.3-15 to 1.0-6 lead at the half-way point of the quarter.

Norwood’s midfield was well and truly on top with O’Neill having an impact against his former side, while another foray forward ended in a Baynen Lowe set shot goal.

South Adelaide found a late goal before quarter time to make it a 3.3-21 to 2.1-13 Norwood lead at the first break.

The Panthers had the better of the field position early in the second term, but Norwood’s defence stood tall, allowing the Panthers just one goal in the first 20 minutes of the quarter.

Henry Nelligan (14 disposals) snapped a goal against the run of play, and Callow took two strong marks deep in the forward 50m for two goals.

Ling was dangerous in the first half, and found Xavier Tranfa 35m out in the scoreboard pocket. His kick fell short, but F. Heard marked at the top of the goalsquare, for Norwood’s seventh goal. The Redlegs led 7.3-45 to 3.4-22 at the 20-minute mark of the second term.

Like the first quarter, the Panthers responded with a late score, this time with two goals just before half time to make it an 11-point game at the main break.

Cootee had 12 disposals to half time, J. Heard 11 and Morris, O’Neill and Ling nine apiece.

Norwood started the second half brightly, with Lord intercepting at half forward and finding Twelftree 40m out for the first goal after the resumption.

Ling and Lord were having a big influence across half back, continuing to work the ball forward. Norwood had repeat scoring opportunities but booted 1.5 in the first 10 minutes of the third term.

O’Neill kicked Norwood’s ninth goal at the 13-minute mark, breaking free from a pack to split the middle from 30m out to make it a 28-point lead.

The Redlegs had four consecutive goals when they twice transitioned the ball from end to end, finishing with back to back Panos goals.

Twelftree’s second goal of the quarter came through a quality mark running back with the flight, topping off a five-goal term for the Redlegs, while holding South to just one behind.

It was a 45-point lead at three quarter time, 12.8-80 to 5.5-35.

At three quarter time O’Neill had 14 disposals at 100% efficiency, and came bursting out of the midfield to start the final term, followed it up with a snap goal in the pocket in the opening 40 seconds.

One minute later Callow took his seventh mark inside 50m to boot his fourth goal.

South finally found their first goal of the second half at the six-minute mark, breaking a string of seven unanswered Norwood goals.

South kicked three goals in the final term to Norwood’s four.

Norwood’s Round 1 match will take place at Coopers Stadium under lights on Easter Thursday against Sturt.

Earlier in the day, Norwood’s Reserves also enjoyed a comprehensive victory over South, 15.16-106 to 5.2.32.

SANFL Trial

Norwood 3.3, 7.3, 12.8, 16.10 – 106

South Adelaide 2.1, 5.4, 5.5, 8.5 – 53

Goals: Callow 4, Panos 2, Twelftree 2, O’Neill 2, F Heard 2, Simpson, Lowe, Nelligan, Hamilton