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At essentially
the half-way point
of season 2007 Norwood
sits in the top
five with five wins
from nine games.
To quote a former
Norwood senior coach
we are “content
but far from contented”
with this position.
Only the naïve
or foolish would
suggest finals are
a mere formality.
As our performances
improve, and the
Norwood brand begins
to regain respect,
our opponents will
only come harder
at us. To be September
contenders we must
take our performance
to another level
again.
The competition
is tighter and tougher
than ever, as we
saw against South
and North Adelaide,
a lapse for as little
as 10 minutes will
see the game slip
by.
Injuries and the
availability of
AFL listed players
are the unknowns,
what is known is
that the playing
group has a genuine
self-belief, a confidence,
an understanding
of our game-plan
and importantly
an understanding
of what is required
to be successful.
This is the foundation
that our season
is being built.
There has been
a fair changing
in the guard this
year with Hugh
Minson, Iggy Vallejo,
Kenrick Tyrrell,
Austin Wonaeamirri,
Paul Puopolo, Josh
Donohue, John Pratt
and Kieran McGuiness
each playing their
first game of league
football for Norwood.
Most coaches will
tell you a successful
football team is
built around a stable,
accountable and
rebounding defence.
Nick Jackman,
Luke Nitschke, Nick
Lower, Nick Duigan
and Kieran McGuiness
are fast developing
into a formidable
outfit from where
many attacking movements
are initiated.
In preparation
for season 2007,
Kieran McGuiness
was identified as
a “must have”
recruit, it didn’t
take long to see
why. Kieran would
hardly have been
out of the best
5 players in all
games to date.
Most coaches will
also tell you successful
playing groups lead
themselves. James
Gallagher has
been a revelation
in his first year
as captain, those
privileged to be
involved with the
team watch him grow
each week as he
continues to understand,
embrace and execute
his honour. The
time and detail
he puts into his
work, in a competition
where players work
full-time jobs is
second to none.
Jamie Vlatko
has been a beacon
up forward. Entering
the season with
limited preparation
due to shoulder
surgery, Jamie has
taken his game to
a new level, leading,
jumping and marking
the ball with a
confidence not seen.
His kicking for
goal has been dead-eye.
Jesse Aish,
Matt Brunoli and
Josh Donohue
are still finding
their feet in league
football, will all
young players their
contributions will
understandably vary
week to week, with
every outing however
they learn and improve.
It’s was no
surprise that Kris
Massie would
have a positive
influence on the
teams performance.
Those fortunate
enough to be intimately
involved in the
preparation of the
team will testify
to the professional
and thorough way
Kris prepares himself
and his team-mates
for the game. He
is an outstanding
man, surely not
far from resuming
his AFL career.
Heath Culpitt
is fresh, much more
so than the comparable
time last year,
an extended break
from football over
the summer has done
his legs and body
the world of good.
That Norwood has
posted 4 straight
wins without the
services of Scott
Borlace, Brett Zorzi
and John Meesen
is a positive sign
of the development,
growing maturity
and depth of the
team. Scott is preparing
himself for a return
after the bye, Brett
played half a game
at Thebarton, and
John has now played
two games in the
reserves. We look
forward to them
stepping out in
the league side
soon.
When Neil Craig
was senior coach
of Norwood he posted
a sign on the wall,
in brief it said
“raw talent
is not enough!”
Andrew Kirwan
and Ben Speight
are year 12 students
at Oakbank and Modbury
respectively, Andrew
is in the State
under 18 squad,
Ben juggles school,
football and a part-time
job. They probably
got an invite to
senior preseason
training on their
raw talent. Both
are quiet, unassuming
young men, they
are playing reserves
football at such
a tender age because
they meet criteria
that extends beyond
raw talent.
Football is by
nature a ruthless
and unforgiving
game, with often
little room for
compassion and human
touch:
- When the club
acknowledged the
passing of Von
Williams it
was a timely reminder
that the states
greatest football
rivalry is built
on a foundation
of respect. That
after the greatest
on-field battles
are won and lost
the football community
stands together,
brothers-in-arms.
- Minutes after
the teams win against
the Eagles Nick
Lower was at
the side of his
friend, Matthew
Thomas, who
had sustained damage
to his knee mid-way
through the last
quarter. Not long
later and still
dressed in their
playing attire Nick
accompanied Matthew
(on crutches) across
Thebarton Oval to
the outer car-park,
to hospital for
examination then
home. Nick took
care of his mate.
It was a small but
not in-significant
moment probably
noticed by few that
said much about
Nick Lower and the
regard that Matt
Thomas is held.
That’s the
team we love!
David Bean
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