SANFL 2018: Norwood v Port Adelaide | Round 6 match report
REIGNING Magarey Medallist Mitch Grigg has produced a masterclass to fire Norwood to a four-goal victory over Port Adelaide, despite Sam Powell-Pepper lining up for the Magpies.
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REIGNING Magarey Medallist Mitch Grigg has produced a masterclass to fire Norwood to victory over Port Adelaide and a place in the SANFL top five.
The Redlegs onballer collected 40 disposals and kicked two goals to inspire his side to a convincing 24-point triumph against their traditional rival at Norwood Oval on Friday night.
Grigg led from the front with his tireless run, penetrating kick and efficient ball use in the host’s engine room to help them to a convincing 17.12 (114) to 13.12 (90) success.
His display typified the performance of Norwood, which was cleaner with the footy and out-muscled its opponent without it to leapfrog the Magpies into fifth place.
But the Redlegs had to withstand a late surge by the visitors, who grabbed four late majors to close the margin of victory.
Lewis Johnston (29 possessions) and Luke Surman booted four goals each for the home side, while Matthew Panos (27, three majors) was another standout as his team moved to 3-3.
Norwood kicked five goals to one in the opening term, before adding another six in the second to set up the victory.
Power-listed midfielder Sam Powell-Pepper had 25 possessions and kicked two majors for the Magpies in his push for Showdown selection having served his three-match AFL ban.
Tom Rockliff (31) also put his hand up for next Saturday’s cross-town clash with the Crows.
Darcy Ginever, son of seven-time Port premiership player Tim Ginever, had 14 disposals on his league debut for the Magpies.
Norwood bolted out of the blocks to lead by 25 points at the first change.
Johnston collected a loose ball and snapped home for the Redlegs early, before Surman took a strong chest mark to convert from 25m.
Kane Farrell benefited from a kind bounce to soccer a major on the run for the Magpies’ first.
But Grigg, who collected 25 disposals in a superb first half, took a sharp grab and kicked brilliantly to goal on the run.
Cole Gerloff and Matthew Panos gave the hosts a decisive quarter-time buffer.
The Redlegs pushed out to a six-goal half-time lead after a second-quarter shootout highlighted by 10 majors.
Port roared to life as teenagers Jack Kluske and Joe Atley kicked beautifully from 50m to pull their side back to within two goals.
But Johnston and Panos scrambled loose balls home from close range, before Surman took a towering mark and kicked truly as Norwood added three majors in as many minutes.
The Magpies again hit back through Kyle Crompton and Kluske, but Panos, Johnston and Ben Jefferies built a game-high advantage for the home side.
Norwood maintained its 36 points buffer as the sides went goal-for-goal in the third period.
Surman kicked his third, Johnston booted his fourth and William Abbott was on target on the run for the Redlegs.
Farrell, Mitchell Mead and Billy Frampton converted for Port.
Grigg grabbed his second to cap his eye-catching display in the fourth term and Powell-Pepper got on the board with two late goals.
Jake Patmore and Rockliff gave the Magpies a sniff with majors, but Peter Bampton sealed the win for Norwood with a composed finish at the death.
NORWOOD 5.5 11.7 14.9 17.12 (114)
PORT ADELAIDE 1.4 5.7 8.9 13.12 (90)
BEST – Norwood: Grigg, Panos, Johnston, Talia, Surman, Jefferies, Shenton. Port: Rockliff, Atley, Toumpas, Powell-Pepper, Summerton, Kluske.
GOALS – Norwood: Johnston, Surman 4, Panos 3, Grigg 2, Gerloff, Jefferies, Abbott, Bampton. Port: Farrell, Kluske, Powell-Pepper 2, Atley, Crompton, Mead, Frampton, Patmore, Rockliff, Snelling.
UMPIRES – T. Medlin, M. Schramm, M. Harris
CROWD – 2642 at Norwood Oval
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