Norwood defeats tough Glenelg in muddy conditions

NORWOOD all but locked in the minor premiership after overcoming a plucky Glenelg by only eight points in atrocious conditions at Glenelg.

NORWOOD all but locked in the minor premiership after overcoming a plucky Glenelg by only eight points in atrocious conditions at Glenelg.

The Redlegs climbed two games plus hefty percentage clear of second-placed Woodville-West Torrens, which has played one more match with three rounds remaining.

As for the Tigers, this was loss No. 12 in a row and they have not sung the club song in triumph since round five. They are two games below eighth-placed South Adelaide, which has played one more match. It must be said, though, had the Tigers produced the passion and fighting spirit they showed they may not be in their current predicament.

The Redlegs went into the contest red-hot fancies but they were seriously challenged in testing, muddy conditions described by their coach Nathan Bassett as barbaric.

"I'm not fussed about the game - we won," Bassett said. "I don't think the group is too excited by that win and we will keep pushing to get better.

"We are suffering wet weather fatigue like most SANFL supporters - every week it is cold. Last year we started to suffer West Adelaide fatigue and were playing West Adelaide every second week. I think the guys are starting to suffer wet weather fatigue."

Norwood forward Ben Warren was chaired from the ground in triumph after celebrating his 200th league appearance with a superb performance.

His desire to work hard at both ends of the ground had an influence on the outcome, while the likes of Tim Webber and Darren Pfeiffer thrived in the heavy going. In attack it was Simon Phillips doing the damage with five goals.

This is a well-drilled, disciplined Redlegs outfit where each player understands their role. It is a defensively-minded team and it preys on opposition mistakes.

And that is what was most evident when the Tigers were punished on the scoreboard for clumsy turnovers.

Despite the gutsy effort, Tigers coach Kris Massie told his players they should not be satisfied.

"Each player played their role and we were mentally engaged for the whole game," Massie said.

"You can take that (result) and feel a sense of positivity but as a group we don't.

"We need to believe we can beat any side in the competition. In terms of experience we are growing, developing and transitioning."

"For me it is not about being pleased. It is about ... we controlled a lot of that game and we need to win these games."

round 21: Saturday - West v South (Richmond), Norwood v Central (The Parade); Sunday - North v Glenelg (Prospect), Port v Sturt (Alberton).