EFL 2019: Norwood dislodges South Croydon from Premier Division top five

Norwood has broken into the EFL top five for just the second time in four years after another star showing from spearhead Leigh Williams helped dislodge South Croydon from fifth on the Premier Division standings.

Leigh Williams tussles with South Croydon defender Chris Jones. Picture: Eastern Sporting Images

The knock on Norwood at the start of the year was it couldn’t take a scalp.

Now the Norsemen are knocking on the door of their first finals appearance since the 2015 decider after entering the top five for just the second time in nearly four years.

Norwood improved its record to 7-6 on Saturday to dislodge South Croydon from fifth after a 30-point win over the Bulldogs at Mullum Mullum Reserve.

The Norsemen trailed by six points at halftime but kicked 10 goals to four in the second half to score a 12.11 (83) to 6.17 (53) win.

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“We had to find another level and we made some structural changes that we felt would give us an opportunity to score and to the players’ credit, they executed,” Norwood coach Marty Pask said.

“We were able to generate a score in that second half and come home really strong.

“I was just really pleased with the players and their attitude towards such a game.”

The triumph followed wins over fellow top-five sides Rowville (Round 5) and Blackburn (Round 8) and made it three consecutive victories.

Prior to the season Norwood had seldom beaten a top-five side in recent years, but is now a legitimate finals contender.

Testing fixtures against Rowville (Round 14), Balwyn (Round 16) and Blackburn (Round 17) will likely determine if it features in September.

“It was an important game and the thing about the competition this year is that it is such an even competition where 10 teams, Premier Division footy, there’s never a game in any different week where you’re not challenged,” Pask said.

“That’s testament to the standard of Eastern footy at the moment. There’s no doubt we’re a very strong competition and it’s clear every game you go into, you need to be sure and confident in what you can do and understand how significant each game is because it can have a huge effect.

“It feels like every week that a win or a loss will have huge ramifications, no matter who you play.

“That’s something the EFL has done really well this year in making it such a strong competition and it genuinely each club feels they go into each game with a chance.”

Players fly for a mark. Picture: Eastern Sporting Images

As he does most weeks, spearhead Leigh Williams kicked a bag of goals.

Williams was listed as Norwood’s best player with five goals, while Tristan Tweedie played an important role in defence and Rhett Jordon was influential with three majors.

Tom Boyd missed with a shoulder injury and is a chance to return against Rowville.

Pask also sung the praises of two of the club’s emerging players.

“We had Dylan Feltham, who’s only 20 years of age, he performed really well in a big game and Kieran West, who is only 19, up forward was really great with his forward half pressure,” he said.

“It’s just really exciting for our footy club that we’re investing heavily in giving guys opportunity and they’re starting to grow and giving them these experiences in big games.

“Seeing them play well and seeing them perform, it’s fantastic and that’s the reason why you enjoy coaching so much.”

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