Norwood eyeing a return to the SANFL grand final following 2018’s heartbreaking loss
The Redlegs face the weight of expectation coming off a dominant season. But can Jarrod Cotton’s side respond from last season’s grand final loss and return to the top?
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The weight of expectation coming off a dominant season is enough to crush even the best of sides.
If any SANFL team is equipped to deal with it, it is this Norwood outfit.
The Redlegs, devastated after losing a flag to North Adelaide many thought they had one hand on before the ball was even bounced, are back for more in 2019.
Coach Jarrod Cotton believed last season served as a lesson in what his side is capable of and how things can go wrong.
“We had a great year in 2018 so there’s obviously going to be expectations and we embrace that,” Cotton said.
“Everyone goes ‘you want to get back and redeem yourselves’, which obviously you want to have another opportunity at winning it, but for us it was about learning from it.
I think the group knows what they are capable of.”
Norwood will enter the season as favourite with the bookies after it stormed to the minor premiership.
Delisted Power midfielder Dom Barry headlines the Redlegs’ recruits, joined by Cody Szust (South Adelaide) and returning premiership forward Josh Donohue.
Henry Crauford, a 21-year-old ruck prospect signed from Mount Burr in the state’s southeast, has impressed in pre-season. Cotton said he is capable of playing league football this season.
Retiring trio Ben Jefferies, Matt Fuller and Simon Phillips are significant outs.
But Norwood pulled off arguably the biggest recruiting coup of the off-season — retaining dual Magarey Medallist Mitch Grigg.
“It’s great to be able to keep a core group of players together,” Cotton said.
“To be honest we didn’t need to go out and bring five guys in.
“We’re in a good position with where our squad is at, so we’re confident.”
Cotton said drastic changes to the Redlegs’ successful 2018 game plan were unlikely, instead looking at a few minor tweaks.
Norwood has gone back to basics in pre-season and focused on a forgotten art — goalkicking.
The Redlegs ranked first in the competition last season for scoring with 101 points per game but were ninth in accuracy.
“That was probably the worst stat for us from last year,” Cotton said.
“We were high in everything else.
“If you can get that up to fourth or third, then we’re kicking about 120 points per game, which is hard to beat.”
An increase in the Legs’ scoring is a dangerous proposition for the rest of the league, especially if they can get former Hawthorn forward Luke Surman up and firing.
Dealing with the expectation and disappointment from the grand final will be Norwood’s biggest challenges but there is no club better equipped.
GUN RECRUIT
There were not many holes to fill but Norwood football manager Mark Ross and coach Jarrod Cotton identified one need — a linebreaker — and they got their man in delisted Power wingman Dom Barry. The 25-year-old’s speed and class on the outside completes a quality Redlegs midfield and Barry will be damaging when fed the ball by Mitch Grigg, Matthew Panos and Matthew Nunn.
ONE TO WATCH
Big things have been expected of versatile Cole Gerloff at The Parade and this season he looks ready to deliver. The 19-year-old has stripped weight, dropped his 2km time trial and upped his professionalism. Will add to his 10 league games this season up forward and through the midfield.
RISING STAR
Eyre Peninsula product Cam Taheny,has been touted as one of SA’s top draft prospects this year and coach Jarrod Cotton says he is likely to get a taste of league footy in between under-18 duties. The 17-year-old Rostrevor College student is a medium forward with a strong mark, clean skills, pace and can also play across half back.
BIG OFF-SEASON
Classy ball user Zac Richards was unlucky not to fit into the Redlegs’ grand final side after being squeezed out of the line-up in the semi-final. He has returned to pre-season motivated and has put in a strong body of work over summer. With the retirements of some experienced heads, a spot should open up for the 22-year-old.
2018 SEASON RECALL
Second
Best & fairest: 1 Mitch Grigg, 2 Matthew Panos, 3 Matthew Nunn
Leading goalkicker: Mitch Grigg 35
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