SANFL Round 10: Norwood’s Matthew Panos stars as the Redlegs beat West Adelaide

NORWOOD star Matthew Panos produced a second-half performance for the ages to inspire his side to a thrilling come from behind win over West Adelaide on Saturday.

Norwood's Matthew Panos and West's Thomas Keough compete for the ball in the centre at Richmond Oval. Picture: Tom Huntley

NORWOOD star Matthew Panos produced a second-half performance for the ages to inspire his side to a thrilling come from behind win over West Adelaide on Saturday.

Panos kicked four goals after half time from the midfield, including three in the fourth quarter, as the Redlegs fought back from 28 points down to win by a single point at City Mazda Stadium.

His 31 touches were a high for the match, which featured a heart-stopping final term.

Norwood trailed by more than four goals at three quarter time but a major to Josh Glenn and then three in as many minutes from Panos, including a 50m bomb to level the scores, brought the Redlegs faithful to their feet.

West’s Izak Rankine pulled one back to give his side a five-point lead, but Norwood struck again through Glenn and then Cole Gerloff to win the match.

Norwood's Joshua Glenn tackled by West's Joshua Ryan. Picture: Tom Huntley

Jason Porplyzia’s late major gave the Bloods a sniff but some key undisciplined acts late cancelled out any hope.

Norwood coach Jarrod Cotton said had plenty of praise for his star midfielder and credited his side for “winning dirty”.

“‘Nos’ was another level, his last quarter was amazing,” Cotton said. “In the third quarter we started to control the ball a lot better but just didn’t make it count on the scoreboard, but in that final term it all came together – that’s the way we want to play.

The Redlegs have now won five straight after starting the season 1-3.

West coach Gavin Colville said his side had plenty of lessons to learn after letting a win slip through their fingers.

West's Andre Parrella shrugs of a tackle from Norwood's Matthew Nunn. Picture: Tom Huntley

“When you take the emotion out of it, we just have to learn from this,” Colville said. “We just got beaten in every aspect of the game in that last quarter, after controlling the contest for most of the day.”

Panos was a bull in the middle but even better on the outside and in front of goal.

He lifted after half time and, while his teammates were a bit slower to rise with him, they eventually sparked into action.

Cam Shenton (27 touches, one goal) was solid all day down back, Glenn (four goals) gave them needed class in front of goal and Will Abbott had more good moments than bad in just his fifth appearance for the Redlegs.

Ruckman Sam Baulderstone was a late withdrawal due to personal reasons.

West’s brigade of smalls were the difference in the first half and Kaine Stevens (26 disposals, two goals) put in a typical gut-running performance in the middle.