Australian Football

Match Report

The last game for the weekend would be played out on the Sunday afternoon, so its now off up the Port Road and into the Alberton Oval as the Magpies took on the Redlegs. Since the Magpies came back from their AFL-imposed state league exile, the Redlegs were waiting with their hands rubbing together in anticipation. The 'Legs welcomed them back with three straight defeats, including earlier this season in Round 3 at The Parade where they won by 16 points. Norwood let their guard down a little at one point, after kicking to a six-kick gap in the second term by half time it was whittled back to a manageable three. But from there the Redlegs had all the answers. The Magpies notched up their third victory for the year at the expense of the Bulldogs at Elizabeth last week, while the 'Legs went down to the Roosters two weeks previous at Menzies Crescent. The opening term was a tightly fought one, the Redlegs were first to the goals column but Port matched them at almost every turn. A pair of missed chances for Port was the difference at the first change, the board reading 3.3 to 3.1. Then the Redlegs turned it on in the second term, booting five goals without a miss to the Magpies' 1.2, two of those goals coming late in the term to see Norwood overtake the home side to lead by 20 points at the long break. Going by the all-round stats, the Magpies had more of the ball and were ahead on the tackle count by 16 over their old rivals. They had more rebound 50's as well, but their accuracy was letting them down. They pushed the 'Legs a bit in the third quarter, outscoring them 3.3 to 2.1 to cut the visitors' advantage down to 11 points by three quarter-time. Port kept on coming in the early goings of the final term, getting back within five points of the lead after eight minutes when they scored 2.1 to Norwood's one goal. But with the opportunity to close the gap on fifth at hand, the Redlegs pulled away and owned the rest of the game. They finished the term kicking a further 4.2 to 2.1, running out winners by three goals. Nik Rokahr was best on ground for the Redlegs, with 37 disposals, six tackles and five clearances. In the Magpies' camp, they voted in Steven Motlop with 29 disposals, two goals and seven clearances.