Norwood exposed by ferocious and daring West Adelaide at Richmond

NORWOOD is facing the prospect of having to defend its three-peat of premierships from the elimination final after being spectacularly opened up by West Adelaide at Richmond on Saturday.

NORWOOD is facing the prospect of having to defend its three-peat of premierships from the elimination final after being spectacularly opened up by West Adelaide at Richmond on Saturday.

The Bloods kicked 18 goals to four after the 15th minute of the first quarter to snap a 10 game losing streak against the Redlegs, and expose worrying holes in Norwood’s game.

It was exciting, daring and ferocious football from the Bloods as they smashed Norwood on the inside and then transitioned the football with a freedom they’ve never previously discovered against Nathan Bassett-Ben Warren coached Redlegs sides.

In the opening 13 minutes of the second term, West booted six unanswered majors as Chris Schmidt, Jason Porplyzia and Jarrod Schiller put on a midfield clinic and forced panic among the Redlegs' defence.

The Bloods can now secure a double chance with victory at Alberton next week, which would mean the Redlegs would have to repeat the heroics of their 1984 side and come from an elimination final to defend their premiership.

Based on yesterday’s showing that appears improbable.

The Redlegs kicked the first four majors and looked intent on making a statement as they applied manic early pressure.

But everything changed in an instant, and the longer the contest went, the less Norwood looked capable of covering West’s spread, and matching their intensity.

Warren was forced to go one-on-one but his defenders were isolated under a torrent of pressure, as West often took on the corridor and won.

Redlegs ruckman Sam Baulderstone limped from the ground in extreme discomfort in the third term after a knock to the back and didn’t return, adding to Norwood’s concerns.

“Their pressure and their ability to win the footy and use it was outstanding and our ground ball influence was just non-existent,’’ Warren said.

“In terms of effort, and in terms of coming ready to play when you’ve got a finals spot on the line, it was disappointing.

“Sixty-odd inside-50s to 20-odd is just diabolical.”

Bloods coach Mark Mickan challenged his players after a poor effort against South last week and was rapt with the response.

“I thought, overall, the pressure that we were able to apply, and the results we got from that pressure were pretty significant,’’ he said.

“I thought the players showed a lot more composure today when we had the ball ... To do that against such quality opposition and to have great contributions from every players was significant.”

WEST ADELAIDE 2.0 9.3 10.10 18.14 (122)

NORWOOD 4.2 5.3 5.4 8.5 (53)

BEST — West: Schmidt, Porplyzia, Beech, Caire, Schiller, Keough, Willits, Snelling, Middleton. Norwood: Suckling, Levicki, Chippendale.

GOALS — West: Fielke, Green, Middleton 3, Stevens 2, Snelling, Porplyzia, Hartlett, Silverlock, Schiller. Norwood: Allan, Bartlett, Levicki, Rander, Reinbrecht, Roocke, Smart, Suckling.

INJURIES — Norwood: Baulderstone (back/internal)

UMPIRES: Hundertmark, Haussen, Hosking