Norwood ready for SANFL grand final rematch against North Adelaide

Norwood is unbeaten and coming off an impressive win, while North Adelaide has injury and form concerns heading into the SANFL grand final rematch on Anzac Day.

• Bloods eye progress against in-form Tigers
• Norwood put rivals on notice

Last year’s grand final is well and truly in the rear view mirror and has been absent from discussions in preparation for the Anzac Day clash against North Adelaide, according to Norwood coach Jarrod Cotton.

On the eve of the Prospect Oval confrontation, Cotton said the total focus was on what the club was doing this season and preparing for each weekly challenge.

“The grand final does not need to be mentioned,” he said. “Everyone is fully aware of what happened last year and we don’t have to talk about that.

“North is a very good team and Anzac Day is such a great opportunity to play.”

North Adelaide coach Josh Carr and Norwood coach Jarrod Cotton at Prospect Memorial, with Prospect RSL President, John Hadaway, ahead of the Anzac Day clash. Picture: Dean Martin

The Redlegs enter the game unbeaten and coming off a highly impressive victory over Port Adelaide when they were without dual Magarey Medallist Mitch Grigg and gun midfielder Matthew Panos did not have his usual influence.

Grigg has served his suspension and will be back in the engine room, skipper Jace Bode is a chance to return to the side after being sidelined with a shoulder injury and Cole Gerloff is to be given another opportunity at league level.

“I was more proud of the group for the first three wins,” Cotton said. “They showed a lot of resilience and guts to get over the line.”

In contrast, the Roosters have their form and injury issues and have just one win after starting the season minus two games as penalty for the 19th man drama.

Inspirational captain Max Thring has been ruled out of the grand final rematch after damaging his hamstring, joining a raft of quality personnel on the sidelines.

Alex Barns has been named in the ruck after concussion cost him a game against Central District on Saturday and Lewis Hender, back from suspension, gives the forward line more potency.

And coach Josh Carr will be directing traffic after illness forced him to return home at half-time in the reserves. He watched the league loss to the Bulldogs on the SANFL’s live stream.

“We made a lot of mistakes and defensively we have been off,” Carr said. “The focus this week has been to get more pressure around the football, something that has been missing.

“We’ve had some injuries, but we had a good run the past 12 months and you have got to take your turn.”

Liam Verity will make his league debut for the Roosters and Carr said he had elite skills for a big guy.