Australian Football

Match Report

The action kicked off under Friday Night Lights at the Coopers Stadium in Norwood, where the Redlegs hosted the Eagles. In last season's outings, these teams shared the points as the visitors. In Round 2 at The Parade, the Redlegs' wayward shooting in the final term allowed the defending premiers to escape with a two-point win, but got their own back in Round 13 at Woodville with a four-goal triumph. The Redlegs would hoist their hard-won premiership flag in the pre-match proceedings, but spoiler alert, folks. The Redlegs were about to have their colours lowered. Both sides had three chances on goal each in the opening term, but while the Eagles bagged three goals without a miss, the Redlegs wasted their shots and would find themselves down by 15 points at quarter-time. An early goal in the second term by the 'Legs should have perhaps gotten them back on track, but it was the only goal they managed up to the long break aside for a further missed opportunity. The Eagles would almost triple their advantage by half-time, adding 5.3 to their tally to go into the sheds with a 41-point advantage. With several key players and premiership players out, the 'Legs were under siege. For some newer faces to Norwood, this would be a baptism of fire. Comparably, with the Eagles regaining the services of players seized after their 2021 flag, this was probably an early warning shot from Oval Avenue. The Redlegs defenders were perhaps a bit more desperate in the third quarter, keeping the Eagles to 3.3. But their own return of 2.1 would only see the Eagles ahead to 49 points going into the final term. It was already well beyond their reach and so their flag-raising party was already spoiled. The Redlegs' missed shots on goal would only cut a few points off the final deficit, they scored 3.4 to the Eagles 3.1 as the visitors ran out 46-point victors to kick off season 2023. Mitch Hardie looks the goods at the moment, he was the Eagles' best afield with 34 disposals, eight tackles and a pair of majors. Matthew Nunn was Norwood's standout with 21 disposals, six marks and six tackles.