Norwood Redlegs defeat North Adelaide Roosters at AAMI Stadium in SANFL grand final
WAS there seriously any doubt Norwood would go back-to-back this season?
WAS there seriously any doubt Norwood would go back-to-back this season?
Everyone looked for a challenger and searched for reasons why rivals could conquer the Redlegs. But the bottom line is there were none.
The Redlegs, extremely well drilled and highly disciplined under coach Nathan Bassett, got what they deserved with a 40-point triumph over North Adelaide in the grand final at AAMI Stadium.
Norwood goes into the history books as the winner of the final match to be contested at the West Lakes stadium.
It was also the final match for Redlegs veteran Brett Zorzi and he has retired in glory after being named the Jack Oatey Medallist as best on ground in the season finale.
Bassett: Norwood the best team I've ever been involved with
''I thought we were pretty reasonable for the first half, then we gave up those two goals at the end of the second quarter with a lack of discipline,'' Bassett said. '
'Then in the third quarter North really came at us and we were lucky they missed some set shots.
''But for the most part we had them pressed in our forward line. We probably missed that one elite finisher this year ... but I can't complain, we won by 40 points.''
The Redlegs had the Thomas Seymour Hill Trophy at their mercy at quarter-time. The lead was only nine points but they had kicked against the wind and had visited their attacking 50 six more times than the Roosters.
Typical of the Redlegs, they set up a wall outside their 50 and for much of the first term the Roosters struggled to break free from defence.
And when the Roosters were able to escape, they were pounced on by opponents committed to tackling and harassment.
In contrast, the Redlegs moved the ball with more authority and had little trouble creating the loose man.
In tight, the Redlegs were superb with the hands to free up players and they put the Roosters under siege in the second quarter to charge to a commanding 33-point lead.
The Roosters did not add to their first-quarter tally until 25 minutes into the second when Lewis Johnston nailed a goal from outside 50. When Nathan Gordon kicked truly two minutes later the Roosters had a sniff.
Finding more space and run in the third quarter, the Roosters challenged the Redlegs and they kicked the goal for the term to cut the deficit to 13.
The Redlegs had all the answers, however, and took control in the final term. Zorzi threw himself into the fray, Mitch Grigg had a massive influence and Ben Warren kicked some important goals.