Norwood defeat West Adelaide as it eyes back-to-back SANFL flags

THE only remaining obstacle to Norwood claiming a back-to-back SANFL flag is North Adelaide, after it thrashed the Bloods.

Alexis Georgiou misses the ball under pressure from West players. Picture: Sarah Reed

THE only remaining obstacle to Norwood claiming a back-to-back SANFL flag is North Adelaide.

While the Roosters must still negotiate the preliminary final, they must be considered the only threat to the rampaging Redlegs on the evidence of yesterday's action at AAMI Stadium. If there is a serious threat. West Adelaide will meet the Roosters in the season's penultimate game but whether last year's beaten grand finalist deserves another shot at the title is questionable after the 56-point second semi-final loss to the Redlegs. The bloodbath of the 1991 SANFL final The signs were ominous just a minute into the contest. Ben Warren nailed the game's first goal after the Redlegs moved the ball without opposition. It was so easy for the hot premiership favourites and established the tone for the first quarter. The Bloods levelled the scores six minutes later but that was their first-quarter challenge over as the Redlegs built a commanding 43-point buffer. The Legs were allowed to run amok and just do as they want against a side which was undisciplined and refused to be accountable. When the Bloods did get the ball they gave it straight back. Praise needs to be poured on a brilliant Redlegs. They are laced with class acts such as Matt Thomas, Mitch Grigg and Mat Suckling. But this is a team in the true meaning of the word. They are extremely well drilled under coach Nathan Bassett, have a clear understanding of their role and every player has trust in their team-mates. North stuns Eagles with late comeback No side punishes opposition mistakes like Norwood. When they retrieve the ball, players scatter with an impressive work ethic to create an option. However, it was not just with ball in hand that the Redlegs did the damage. Their pressure - smothers, tackles and harassing - was relentless and created an avalanche of turnovers from an under siege Bloods. The first-quarter statistics were damning for the Bloods. The skilful Redlegs had 59 more disposals, more tackles and an incredible 32 more marks. In fact, the Bloods had just eight marks. "You can't ask for much more," Bassett said. "This was the strongest side we have had all year and the group played accordingly." Disgraceful was the word Bloods coach Andrew Collins used to describe his side's first-quarter effort. "It was a big game and they outplayed us," Collins said. "They destroyed us in the stoppages and destroyed us with their skills. We have a few individuals who get the ball and don't handle that intense pressure Norwood put us under."