Australian Football

Match Report

The opening contest for this week's football takes us to the inner east, the first of three Saturday afternoon games brings us to Coopers Stadium in Norwood between the Redlegs and the Panthers. The typical wintry Noarlunga conditions made goal-kicking hard for the Redlegs back in Round 12, allowing the Panthers to stay within a couple of kicks for most of the game. But then Norwood found their way to goal more often in the final term, kicking five unanswered goals to run out 39-point winners. The Redlegs have still got one hand on the minor premiership, but the grip has been lessened a little after a shocking afternoon at Brighton Road last weekend, resulting in a 34-point loss to the Tigers. As for South, a win against the Bloods at home allowed them to put a couple of points between them and the cellar currently held by Port. With a far brighter and clearer day compared to their earlier clash, the Redlegs weren't to be hindered. They dominated from the outset, though their opening quarter accuracy wasn't great. They kicked 4.5 to 1.2 to go into the first change with a 21-point lead, the Panthers' goal coming from the final score of the quarter. The Panthers would go on to waste a trio of chances early in the second quarter, while the Redlegs would kick five unanswered goals. They each kicked three behinds, Norwood's advantage now out to 51 points at the long break. The Panthers' tackling was very much top notch, with 25 more tackles inflicted in the final tally. It was in other departments that the Redlegs had it all over the more inexperienced South, 40 more kicks, 50 more handballs, not to mention the fact they ruled the packs and the middle. The gap reached a game-high 63 points just prior to time-on in the third quarter, however at the final change it was back to 50 points after the visitors kicked 3.2 to 3.1. In the end, the home side would maintain their hold on top spot, finishing the day off with a 4.2 to 3.3 last quarter to run out 55-point winners. Harry Boyd made up the bulk of the Redlegs' lop-sided ruck tally, he took best afield honours with 54 hit-outs, 31 disposals and 16 clearances. For the Panthers, their standout was Oliver Davis with 14 disposals and nine tackles.