Australian Football

Match Report

The other matches for the first week would be played out on the Sunday arvo timeslot with much clearer skies, the first takes us to the Coopers Stadium in Norwood for the clash between the Redlegs and the Magpies. The Redlegs battled hard back in Round 5 but at the time were unable to put their first win of the season on the board as the Magpies won by seven points at Alberton. Norwood had reduced a 15-point half-time deficit to just three points come the final change, but couldn't find the finish in front of the sticks in the final stanza as Port eluded their grasp. The Redlegs finally managed to find the spark for victory against South at Noarlunga in the last round, but with the Magpies victorious against the Bulldogs at the same time, whether the 'Legs could maintain the rage was anyone's guess. Little known fact... I myself had believed that the Williams-Gallagher Trophy was still being fought for at the time but apparently not. To my surprise ahead of this game, the papers said the trophy was to be "re-instated"... so it's been collecting dust somewhere for who knows how long. Any thoughts that the 'Legs would be back to their worst was put in the backs of the fans' minds in the opening term, but their accuracy kept them within Port reach going into the quarter-time huddle. A pair of missed opportunities late in the term saw the Redlegs lead by just four points, the scores reading 2.5 to 2.1. Those thoughts turned to murmurs by the long break however, the Magpies outgunning the Redlegs to go into the long break with a 13-point lead after scoring 5.2 to 2.3 in the second term. Even more concerning was the ease in which two of those goals came for the vistors, one coming after just 15 seconds and then a long-range bomb later on. But in the third term, the Magpies were unable to find their way to goal, held scoreless by the Norwood backs and would take back the lead by the final change. The Redlegs' 2.2 would have them lead by a point at three quarter-time. Port almost pulled off another quick goal to begin the final term, but would only draw level at 30 seconds. The home side would then rustle up enough resistance and attack to keep Port at bay long enough for victory. Norwood's 2.2 to 1.2 saw them home by seven points for a second win in the bank and possession of the W/G Trophy once more. Nik Rokahr was best afield for Norwood, with 28 disposals, 10 tackles and five clearances. The Magpies voted in Jackson Mead as their best, with 27 disposals, 12 tackles and four clearances.