EFL 2019: Norwood scores first win of Eastern Football League season after 63-point win over North Ringwood

Norwood handed North Ringwood its second heavy defeat of the season as the Norsemen delivered a performance that matched their pre-season hype.

Matthew Aver sends Norwood forward. Picture: Steve Tanner

Norwood handed North Ringwood its second heavy defeat of the season on Saturday as the Norsemen delivered a performance that matched their pre-season hype.

The 63-point win at Mullum Mullum Reserve was a pleasing return to form for Marty Pask’s side after Round 1 horror against Vermont.

Recruit Mitch O’Donnell was pivotal in the result, highlighting why Norwood was thrilled with his signature in the off-season.

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The Norsemen built on their lead at every change to record a 15.18 (108) to 7.3 (45) victory.

Norwood entered the season as one of the teams expected to improve after signing some quality recruits over the summer, building expectation the Norsemen will challenge for a top-five berth.

Star Eastern league fullback and former Casey Demon Ryan Morrison a likely addition to the North Melbourne VFL team. The Norwood and ex-Noble Park player is training with the Roos as he eyes a return to the state league.

— Paul Amy (@PaulAmy375) April 15, 2019

“We understand and appreciate where we want to take the group and I appreciate the external expectation but the internal one is that we are growing as a group,” Pask said.

“We are still a very young list, we’ve got the experience but the guys we’ve brought in are still very young in their footy careers.

“(Tristan) Tweedie, (Tom) Moloney, (Nelson) Lane, (Stuart) Horner, (Daniel) Sutcliffe, young Dylan Feltham … that’s a good core group we’re growing with.

“I believe we’re growing that and identify what works the best and no doubt the group, once we have continue this growth and learning with each other, the end result is we’re going to be a good football team.”

In his first two games in charge of Norwood, Pask has seen the best and worst of a side that has underperformed since the 2015 grand final.

The Norsemen were kept scoreless in the opening quarter in Round 1 but showed what they can deliver against North Ringwood.

“The main thing we’re always concerned about, and that we want to ensure, is what our team values are and our key indicators we pride ourselves on,” Pask said.

“That’s something we’re always going to be hard on and ensure we’re going to keep bringing that consistency and the by-product of that I hope is we bridge the gap between our best and worst.”

The result was North Ringwood’s second big defeat of the season after a 100-point loss against Rowville in Round 1.

The Saints sit at the bottom of the Premier division table with a percentage of just 29.74.

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