Norwood can grab top three spot with a win over Central District

NORWOOD has put a top three spot at the head of its agenda after responding to an indifferent start to the season with a string of highly impressive wins.

Norwood Football Club player Ben Warren has retired. Pictured at The Parade oval.

NORWOOD has put a top three spot at the head of its agenda after responding to an indifferent start to the season with a string of highly impressive wins.

The Redlegs conquered second-placed Sturt at Unley two weeks back before smashing Glenelg to climb to fourth on the ladder, just a game behind Woodville-West Torrens.

A victory over Central District at The Parade on Friday night will jump it above the Eagles courtesy of superior percentage.

The Eagles can reclaim third when they meet the Tigers in the second week of the split round.

“We have our eyes on a top three spot,’’ Redlegs coach Ben Warren said.

“With results going our way it opens up an opportunity and we are working towards this (top three).

“That is why the game against Central is our most important game of the year so far. Then our next game is against the Eagles.

“It is important to keep the momentum going. It helps when you have a pretty consistent team for five or six weeks.

“Our tackling has improved as well as our contested ball - they were not great early in the season.

“The group has got belief and trust and they are seeing the results come.’’

The Redlegs strengthened their midfield with the return of Tim Webber and Gavin Hughes while Mitchell Wicks is also in the 23-man squad.

The SANFL won’t be employing additional security for Friday night’s clash — the first between the two clubs under lights at the venue in seven years and does not expect any issues between fans.

Night matches at Norwood between the rivals were abandoned indefinitely after several supporters were evicted and a Central fan sustained a cut under the eye when a fight broke out at halftime of a May, 2007, match.

The incident followed similar tensions that undermined other night clashes between the Redlegs and Dogs at the venue last decade.

SANFL general manager Chris Davies said both clubs were willing to return to night football at The Parade and the league was happy to schedule the match.

He said the SANFL would not alter its security staffing formula for the match which took into account estimated crowd numbers.

“We don’t expect there to be any trouble between the two clubs,’’ Davies said.

“Norwood was keen to play as many matches as it could on a Friday night and we are confident that both sets of supporters have moved on from the issues that existed.”

Dogs chief executive Kris Grant said he was hopeful any issues between the clubs were in the past.

“I’m hopeful that there were won’t be issues,’’ he said.

“We urge people to go along to the match and enjoy themselves in the right spirit.”

Norwood chief executive Geoff Baynes said he believed tensions between the clubs had been consigned to the past.

“We’re not expecting any issues,’’ he said.

“It’s just a regular game from our point of view.”