Glenelg impressive in beating Norwood in SANFL at the Bay
GLENELG has given its fans plenty of reason to be optimistic this season, and they again showed their qualities against Norwood.
IF SANFL history is to be prevented and the AFL reserves teams are to be stopped from getting their hands on the premiership trophy this season, it is becoming more and more obvious Glenelg is the club to get the job done.
The Tigers climbed back on top of the ladder with a 46-point victory over Norwood at the Bay on Sunday. They are disciplined and well drilled under coach Mark Stone, and they play an impressive brand of football as a team unit.
But Adelaide and Port Adelaide are lurking second and third on the ladder and benefiting from big AFL numbers.
Much more will be revealed on Sunday when the Tigers venture to Alberton Oval to confront Port and Stone is excited for the challenge.
“They are in great form and are a powerful team,” Stone said. “They are playing really good footy, but that is what you look forward to, to test yourself against the best teams.”
The Tigers can take plenty of confidence out of the victory over the Redlegs when they cranked up the gears in the second half to further fuel expectation at the club.
These were tough conditions, wet and slippery, yet the Tigers’ work around the contest was impressive and they used the ball with authority in the second half.
What should also build optimism for Tigers’ fans is the form of onballer Luke Partington. His early season form with his new club was a little patchy, but he has used the past couple of weeks to advertise his class and importance to the side.
Not that Stone wants to single out individuals with his plans locked around team first.
“We don’t want to be a one or two man team and rely on Liam (McBean) to kick the goals, Luke to get the ball,” Stone said. “We want to be a team where in different weeks it is going to be someone else’s go and that person is ready to step up.
“It was always going to be tough, Norwood had some good players back. The day probably suited us a little more in terms of the conditions and I’m glad we were able to grind away and get on top in the second half.”
The first half was an uninspiring slog where players needed to commit the body and just force the ball forward.
The Redlegs, with Mitch Grigg and Cameron Shenton getting plenty of the ball and Cameron Taheny showing his potential up forward, bothered the Tigers.
However, far too often the Redlegs over used the ball in the second half, a contrast to the Tigers who adapted to the conditions and were much more direct. The home side constantly put the Redlegs’ defence under pressure.
“The first half was a pretty good game, but for some reason, and it is a pattern at the minute, we can’t run a game out,” Redlegs coach Jarrod Cotton said.
“For half a game we competed well, but games are not won in a half. We have got some personnel back, so whether they are underdone I’m not sure.”
GLENELG 2.2 5.5 11.8 15.10 (100)
NORWOOD 1.2 4.5 7.6 8.6 (54)
BEST - Glenelg: Partington, Close, Bradley, McBean, Curran, Proud, Reynolds. Norwood: Nunn, Baulderstone, Taheny, McKenzie, Grigg.
GOALS - Glenelg: McBean, Close 4, Reynolds 3, Bailey 2, Partington, Schott. Norwood: Taheny 4, Wilson 2, Panos, Gerloff.
INJURIES - Norwood: Smart (thigh).
UMPIRES - Scott, Philp, Morgan.
CROWD - at ACH Group Stadium, Glenelg.