Norwood kills off slow-starting South in eight-goal first term

SOUTH Adelaide outplayed Norwood for three quarters at The Parade on Friday night but was left to rue a disastrous opening term.

SOUTH Adelaide outplayed Norwood for three quarters at The Parade on Friday night but was left to rue a disastrous opening term.

The Panthers were left in the starters blocks as the Redlegs banged through eight goals from 12 inside-50s to lead by 44 points at the opening change en route to a 13-point win.

South would go on to win the clash in every major statistical area accept on the scoreboard and kicked seven goals to two after quarter time.

It out-tackled Norwood and beat it around the clearances and closed to within 12 points at the 21 minute mark of the final term but Norwood held on despite struggling to run out a match for a second straight week.

For all its gallantry after the opening change, the Panthers season has now reached a precipice and it may only be in the top five on percentage by the end of the round.

It has now lost seven of its last 10 clashes and its ledger is square at 7-7 ahead of a tricky draw over the final month of the minor round.

The Redlegs (8-6) gave the Panthers a lesson in intensity and work rate in the opening term and have given themselves breathing space in the top five with the win.

South’s defenders were hopelessly exposed early but in fairness to them they were given little help by an unaccountable midfield.

Virtually all of Norwood’s opening term majors came from quick entries from turnovers and clearances into an open forward line where South’s defenders were out of position.

South dominated the early stages of the second term and finally got some reward when Darcy Hourigan caught Kieran McGuinness holding the ball at the top of the goal square and converted.

McGuinness uncharacteristically made another clanger moments later when he kicked across goal and turned the ball over, resulting in a Joel Cross goal.

Both sides had chances late in the second term with plenty of tackling pressure and intensity but missed and Norwood held sway by 31 points at the long break.

Alex Cailotto brought South back within 25 points early in the third term before Norwood tightened the screws around the stoppages and locked the game down.

Anthony Wilson’s brilliant line-breaking goal close to three quarter time pushed the margin back out to 32 points and the match was in the Redlegs’ keeping.

South would kick four final term majors to one but never realistically looked like winning.

NORWOOD 8.0 8.2 9.5 10.7 (67)

SOUTH 0.4 2.7 3.9 7.12 (54)

BEST – Norwood: Panos, Bode, Webber, McGuinness, Wilson, Jeffries. South: Fields, Cross, Gotch, Macleod, Daniel, Liddle.

GOALS – Norwood: Newton 3, Donohue, Wilson 2, Allan, Persinos. South: Hourigan, Cross 2, Cailotto, Dale

INJURIES: Norwood: Kirwan (cut head)

UMPIRES: Bowen, Hundertmark, Deboy.