Australian Football

Match Report

The last game to be held on the Saturday arvo takes us to the eastern side of town and into the Coopers Stadium at Norwood for one of the shortest trips between grounds as the Redlegs hosted the Roosters. The last time these sides met was only five weeks ago, in an absolute arm-wrestle back in Round 9 at Menzies Crescent. The Roosters won by 11 points, after a back and forth battle in front of sticks where the gap never exceeded 20 points. That number was the deficit early in the second term before the Roosters clawed it back, then in a dramatic second half after the 'Legs led by a point at the final change, their attack was nullified as the Roosters claimed the points. Last week produced wins for both sides, Norwood bringing down the Eagles by four goals, while the Roosters put the Magpies to the sword in emphatic fashion. The opening 15 minutes were largely dictated by the Roosters, who had kicked to a two-goal lead with their 2.2 to two behinds. But then the 'Legs found the sticks in the later minutes, scoring a further 3.1 to take a quarter-time lead of eight points. This trend was repeated in the following period, which no doubt would have frustrated the North faithful to watch their charges assert themselves only to run out of puff again. The 'Legs would still be ahead at the long break, after a 5.1 to 5.3 second term the advantage was a single major. Fun fact about this season, in all games the Roosters have played in whether won or lost, only the Crows have scored in excess of 100 points against them. And this is where the Redlegs left the Roosters in their rear view mirror. Norwood dominated the third quarter, keeping the Roosters to two goals whilst bagging 5.2 themselves to take their lead out to 26 points by three quarter-time. It could have been a goal less than that if not for a rundown tackle on a North attacker closing in on goal. The Roosters' grip on top spot is probably not fully assured after this, the home side finishing off with a 4.1 to 2.3 final term to win by six goals and edge ever closer to the coveted third spot currently held by the Tigers. Jacob Kennerley was the stand-in skipper and also best afield for Norwood, with 33 disposals, seven marks and two goals. North named Will Combe as their best with 28 disposals, two goals and eight marks.