When Jesse Aish kicked the first goal of the third quarter to bring the Redlegs within 7 points of the reigning premier at the 5 minute mark the feeling at Hamra Homes Oval was "game on", it was not to be however, the home side coming alive to kick 10 unanswered goals to run out winners by 71 points.

The Redlegs went into the game making three changes in Stuart Bown's 150th league Game. Stuart returned along with Nick Gieschen and Luke Nitschke for the injured Simon Phillips, Crows bound Bryce Campbell and Sam Rowe. Whilst never having an ascendancy on the scoreboard, the Redlegs competed hard and played with great spirit in the first half answering much of what the home team threw at them, Jesse Aish and Josh Donohue busy inside 50, Nick Lower, Matthew Dawes and James Gallagher doing the hard stuff at the stoppages.

The importance of maintaining that fierce desire and getting on the scoreboard quickly was emphasized at half time, Roy Laird however was probably having the same conversation with his troops just down the corridor. After the Redlegs failed to capitalise on a number of opportunities in the first 10 minutes, Centrals Districts inspired by goal kicking specialist Ian Callinan took complete control of the game and ran away with what on the scoreboard at least will be remembered as an easy win.

Matthew Davis was one of few Norwood players to get the job done over a full 4 quarters, cool under pressure, courageous and with skills that stood up under pressure, he was an example to his team-mates. Nick Lower, predominately playing in the midfield, was tough at the contest and had plenty of the ball, Josh Donohue continues to grow as a league footballer, playing with great tenacity and using his pace to advantage. Ever reliable Brett Zorzi was his usual self, under an avalanche of Centrals forward movements in the second half while Scott Borlace is starting to show the form we know and love.

Duane Stewarts team started well but would be over-run by the home-side by 10 points, the teams first loss of the season. Returning to the side from injury, Taylor Walker played with a touch of class at the goal front, finishing with 3 goals, while defenders Rowe and Schulz were the teams best players over the duration of the game.

It was a better afternoon at Coopers Stadium, both of our underage teams recording their first wins of the season. Simon Muster (son of former player Ivan) bagged three for the Under 19's giving Andrew Milligan his first taste of victory in Norwood colours by 7 points while Gavin Roberts kicked 4 goals to help David Oatey's team over the winners line by 24 points.

The focus for the league side now becomes Fridays game with a winless Eagles at Coopers Stadium from 7.40pm, Heath Culpitt and David Trotter will under go fitness tests early in the week and all being well will be available for selection

David J Bean
League Team Manager