Australian Football

Match Report

We begin the wrap with some Friday Night Mayhem and we're heading onto The Parade, the Redlegs hosting the Crows at the Coopers Stadium in Norwood. The Redlegs were victorious in both of their engagements last season, with an eight-goal win in Round 7, followed by a 43-point victory in Round 19. It was of total shock in the following week though, that showing would seem so far removed from their efforts in the Elimination Final when they lost to South. Last weekend saw both sides notch up victories, the Crows flying high to the top of the ladder at the expense of the reigning premiers at Woodville by 33 points, while the Redlegs put down the Bulldogs resistance at home by 21 points. The field would be quite slippery, though probably better that they played before the next day's weather came in... more on that later. It took almost seven minutes for a score, the Crows kicking the opening major. That and two behinds was all they would manage, the Redlegs finally breaking through for their first goal at 17 minutes. Two more would follow over the next six minutes for the board to read 3.1 to 1.2, the Redlegs ahead by 11 points at quarter-time. That margin would be retained for the long break, one last shot on goal going wide for the 'Legs as both sides scored 3.2 a piece in the second quarter. Perhaps it was the withdrawal of a trio of key players that saw Adelaide's loss of firepower, two going down with illness pre-match while a third was a travelling emergence for the seniors. Despite this, in a tense third quarter the Crows would reduce the Redlegs' lead to a single straight shot by the final change. A pair of added time behinds would stop Norwood from perhaps being three kicks up at three quarter-time, Adelaide outscoring them 2.1 to 1.2 to bring the deficit down to six points. A 10-minute lull from the Redlegs in the final term threatened to spoil the return party for one of The Parade's favourites, but in a twist of fate it was that particular favourite that put the nail into Adelaide hearts. Norwood would win by five points, scoring 3.2 to 3.3 with the final shot on goal sealing the victory. The return of Matt Panos to the field would see him named Norwood's best, with 18 disposals and kicking four goals including the sealer. Kieran Strachan was Adelaide's best afield, with a swag of hitouts from the centre as well as seven tackles and five clearances.