Norwood coach Nathan Bassett says Redlegs are better this season than last

HERE'S a scary disclosure - Norwood coach Nathan Bassett believes his side will be better come finals than the one that emphatically won last year's premiership.

HERE'S a scary disclosure for SANFL clubs - Norwood coach Nathan Bassett believes his side will be better come finals than the one that emphatically won last year's premiership.

Norwood's 2012 side was statistically one of the best in league history, dropping only two matches for the season and eventually beating West Adelaide in the grand final by 49 points.

But Bassett believes this year's list has more overall talent and is better placed to peak come finals.

"I think in terms of our overall depth of talent we're a better side (this year),'' Bassett said after the Redlegs' 13.5 (83) to 2.8 (20) win over Port Adelaide at The Parade last Friday.

"Last year we played some of our best football in the first half of the season but later in the year we suffered some injuries.

"Towards the end of the season, we had some guys come in who were role-players.

"I don't think we have that this year.

"There's a higher level of talent right down the list."

Bassett's optimism in this year's squad is understandable when you look at Norwood's recent numbers.

Since losing to Port Adelaide in round 11, the Redlegs have won six matches on the trot by an average of 52 points and conceded a remarkably low average of 39 points per game - 13 points less than the historical benchmark they set in 2012.

Norwood has also hit the scoreboard harder during the run, averaging 91 points per game compared to 87 last season.

But Bassett's belief his is better this year is based on more than just numbers.

The Redlegs have qualified AFL-listed Matt Thomas, Darren Pfeiffer, Brent Renouf and Lewis Stevenson and Mitch Grigg for finals.

Despite losing the ball winning power of Jaryd Cachia, Nathan Batsanis, Dean Terlich and James Gallagher they are deeper through the midfield and halfback.

Craig Evans, Trent Dumont and Matt Fuller have come into the midfield/halfback fold, James Aish, Ben Jeffries and Andrew Kirwan have improved and Mat Suckling, Jace Bode and Tim Webber continue to perform.

Mark Evans has added another element to a forward line loaded with scoring power and Norwood's ruck stocks are the deepest they have been during Bassett's time at the club.

A host of players including Ed Smart and Peter Bampton are pushing for selection, while Brett Zorzi, Kieran McGuinness, Simon Phillips and Matt Panos should be available for selection after this week's bye.