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James Aish returns to lead Norwood to 46-point win over Sturt

TOP AFL draft prospect James Aish played his best game for the season as he led Norwood to a 46-point win over Sturt at Unley on Saturday.

TOP AFL draft prospect James Aish played his best game for the season as he led Norwood to a 46-point win over Sturt at Unley on Saturday.

The 17-year-old kicked two game-breaking goals in the third quarter and finished the game with 23 disposals in an encouraging sign for the run home to the finals.

Aish missed the first half of the season after shoulder surgery.

He returned to football via the under-18 national championships and yesterday impressed for Norwood on the wing.

Coming off an inspired win over Port Adelaide last weekend, Sturt was able to negate Norwood for the first half but the Redlegs stormed away with six goals to one after that.

Matt Thomas and Mat Suckling both had 30-plus disposals and Sam Kerridge had 30 touches for the Double Blues.

"I thought we were pretty solid all day," Norwood coach Nathan Bassett said.

"It was windy and we converted quite well, particularly in the third quarter.

"Our midfield group was really good - Tim Webber and Mat Suckling and James Aish - and I felt they had the edge."

Another highlight for Norwood was full back Alex Georgiou kicking his first goal in 72 league games.

Georgiou intercepted a Sturt pass, ran to 50m and kicked a goal on the run.

Sturt coach Seamus Maloney said his team was beaten in the midfield on a day when conditions suited in-and-under players.

"It was pretty tough conditions and it was game-on at half time because it was hard to score," Maloney said.

"But they (Norwood) were a bit better at the basics than us, they took their chances and are a very strong side in the clearances.

"As Norwood do, they keep the heat on and wore us down."

However, Maloney was pleased with 19-year-old Harley Montgomery's game as he played on dangerous forward Simon Phillips all day and kept him to just eight disposals.

The win cements Norwood's spot on top of the ladder, one game clear of North Adelaide ahead of a big clash with West next weekend.

REDLEGS   3.3  3.5  7.7  9.12 (66)

STURT       1.0   1.3  1.5  2.8 (20)

BEST: REDLEGS: Aish, Zorzi, Suckling, Thomas, Webber, Baulderstone, Renouf, Dumont. STURT: Montgomery, Hinge, Evans, Kerridge, Hombsch.

GOALS: REDLEGS: Aish 3; Renouf, Pfeiffer, Webber, Zorzi, Evans, Georgiou. STURT: Graham, Evans.

UMPIRES: M. Oates, A. Crosby, R. Hundertmark.

Unley Oval: 2396

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Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/james-aish-returns-to-lead-norwood-to-46-point-win-over-sturt/news-story/5db5dfec4e08b680bee8ddc71f39ac55