Redlegs on verge of SANFL minor premiership after beating Bulldogs
NORWOOD’S golden run stretched into a 12th successive win after conquering Central District in Elizabeth to take a huge step closer to a rich prize.
THE minor premiership is Norwood’s for the taking after conquering Central District by 43 points to claim a 12th successive victory at Elizabeth Oval on Saturday.
The Redlegs climbed five points clear of second-placed Woodville-West Torrens with two rounds remaining, although the Eagles can close the gap when they host Adelaide on Sunday.
It was not the Redlegs at their best, but they got the job done against a Bulldogs outfit showing fight.
“Any time you win by that much and win every quarter you have got to be happy,” Redlegs coach Jarrod Cotton said. “We worked really hard, but execution was poor and the decision making inside 50 was a bit poor.
“We needed to tick a box and we did that. This was not our best performance, but we worked hard.”
The Bulldogs, beaten by the Redlegs by 96 points in round eight, showed their intent in the first quarter when they trailed by just six points despite kicking against a strong wind.
Surprisingly, the Bulldogs had more inside 50 visits, using the ball well, only to be let down deep in attack with sloppy work.
Immediately the quarter-time siren sounded, Redlegs captain Jace Bode spoke to his teammates in a tight huddle.
And the response from the visitors was effective, taking control of the contest kicking against the wind in the second term.
Defenders Cameron Shenton and Brad McKenzie had a huge influence and Mitch Grigg got his hands to plenty of possessions. Lewis Johnston showed why he is important as the link man with all but four of his 31 possessions being uncontested.
Incredibly, 10 of the 18 goals were kicked against the wind.
The Bulldogs had a crack, but they let themselves down at crucial times with poor skills or decision making. And the Redlegs were simply too good and too composed. Their discipline to spread with the ball also hurt the Bulldogs.
“We did not play with belief, that is what it looked like,” Bulldogs coach Roy Laird said. ”There wasn’t the excitement level of team thinking they could win.”
NORWOOD 2.2 7.6 9.10 12.13 (85)
CENTRAL DISTRICT 1.2 3.4 4.4 6.5 (41)
BEST- Norwood: McKenzie, Shenton, Grigg, Nunn, Hamilton, Wilkins. Central: Habel, J. Schiller, Nietschke, Jenner, Barmby.
GOALS - Norwood: Surman 3, Grigg 2, Abbott, Wilson, Daee, Smart, Phillips, Nunn, Hamilton. Central: Hately 2, Butcher, Nietschke, Habel, Hoskin.
UMPIRES - Lewis, Hundertmark, Sboro.
CROWD - 1567 at My Money House Oval, Elizabeth.