Norwood fans should be excited about the 2019 season after falling just short last year

Norwood came within a whisker of claiming the 2018 flag after starting a hot favourite and there are plenty of reasons Redlegs’ fans can look forward to the 2019 season with optimism.

Norwood came within a whisker of claiming last year’s flag after starting a hot favourite and there are plenty of reasons Redlegs’ fans can look forward to the 2019 season with optimism.

1 MAYBE that theory which says you have to lose one to win one can be applied to the Redlegs. They were red-hot favourites to claim the flag last year, only to be upset by North Adelaide in the grand final. That loss would have hurt badly and the pain will linger through the summer. The Redlegs will be ultra hungry to respond, it will be a massive motivating factor as they seek to make amends. They will definitely be on a mission to go on a desperate trophy hunt.

Mitch Grigg remains at The Parade after being overlooked in the AFL draft. Picture: Sarah Reed

2 MITCH Grigg will be in the red and blue jumper again, having been overlooked by AFL clubs in the national draft. That is enough to have the Redlegs’ faithful excited about next season. After what Grigg did in the grand final, the fans would have been concerned the gun onballer would be lost to the national competition. Grigg had a game high 31 disposals and bagged six goals in a stunning performance. It was one of the great individual grand final displays which earned the dual Magarey Medallist the Jack Oatey Medal. But not enough to find an AFL home and the Redlegs are a much, much better team with him in it.

3 JARROD Cotton will be at the helm for a third successive year and he knows he has the support of the club, and especially the players, after getting a contract extension.

Norwood coach Jarrod Cotton. Picture: Sarah Reed

That gives him peace of mind to back his theories. Cotton introduced an aggressive attacking game style which took a little time for the players to adapt. They are now fully educated on his requirements and will no doubt benefit from another pre-season. He doesn’t have to tinker with the plans too much, maybe just improve a couple of areas such as accuracy.

4 THE Redlegs already have plenty of pace with the likes of Anthony Wilson and Ed Smart. Now they have another speedster to carry the ball into attack after signing Dom Barry, who moved to The Parade after a season with Port Adelaide.

Dom Barry has joined Norwood after a year at Port Adelaide. Picture: Sarah Reed

Barry made five early-season appearances for the Power. Not only he will give the side even more pace, he adds plenty of class and can feed off the likes of Matthew Panos and Mitch Grigg to create havoc. Barry’s cousin Dylan has also joined the club from the Northern Territory. And premiership forward Josh Donohue is back, and will replace retired Simon Phillips.

5 THOSE fans who enjoy watching the Redlegs under lights, and there are plenty of them, will be content with the draw. Five of their first eight rounds are at home and all under lights, starting with a battle against Glenelg at The Parade on March 29 to open the season. Their round four battle against Port Adelaide is at home on Easter Thursday. The Redlegs will also be involved in the traditional Anzac Day rematch of the grand final when they face North Adelaide at Prospect Oval on April 25. There is also Queen’s Birthday Monday action against South Adelaide at Noarlunga Oval.