The Norwood spirit was alive and well this afternoon at Prospect Oval when Trevor Hill's team recorded a 28 point win over North Adelaide in wet and windy conditions.

Playmakers James Gallagher and David Trotter were late withdrawals from the published team, replaced by Nick Lower who was made available by Port Power and mid season recruit Tim Weatherald.

Captain Brett Zorzi won the toss and kicked with the wind to the Northern end and the Redlegs were on the scoreboard early courtesy of Jesse Aish and Jamie Vlatko. Significantly however it was the Redlegs approach that was impressive, placing enormous pressure on their opponents when in possession, they hunted in packs, tackled with ferocity and worked hard as a team to earn a 25 point margin at the first break - they were qualities that would be displayed for the full four quarters of the game for the first time in 2008, we would never be headed on the scoreboard, as the Redlegs outscored the Roosters in all but one quarter of play.

Best players were hard to find, this time for all the right reasons as it was an even team effort, each player playing their assigned role, there were no passengers. Stuart Bown in his newfound role at Centre half back probably had his best league game in 12 months, his work rate exceptional, he was a target when the ball moved through his area, his opponent had little effect on the game. Returning from a week in the reserves following a hamstring injury, Luke Nitshcke was back to his 2007 form, disciplined, hardworking and effective by hand and foot in defence. On wing and in defence Aaron Kite had the better of all opponents, playing with desperation and willing to run hard he was a handful all day for the home-side. Paul Puopolo continues to grow as league footballer each week, today he spent significant periods of the game in the midfield, attacked ball and body hard, using his pace to advantage and applied maximum pressure to the opposition when in possession.

The reserves side were blown away by the Roosters when kicking with the breeze in the first quarter and spent the rest of the day playing catch-up football, a task which proved too much, as the game was most even for the last three quarters. Little fells Dean Rossi, Ryan Tutt and Tim Webber were the teams best over four quarters in the midfield while Steven Pollock moved from his customary defensive post forward and was the teams leading goal-scorer with two.

It was also a win and a loss for our junior teams at Coopers Stadium, the Under 19's posted their most emphatic win for the season by 79 points with Darren Shillabeer kicking 8 goals and Josh Benbow 3 while Ben Jefferies was named the teams best by coach Andrew Milligan. A different story for David Oatey's side going down by 55 points, Luke Roberts kicking 4 goals and Josh Lewis-Burns the teams best.

The Redlegs now face a red-hot Glenelg outfit on Friday night at Coopers Stadium before the mid-season break for the State game, after an emotional week, it presents another challenge, it will be another indicator of what season 2008 holds for the Norwood football Club.

David J Bean
League Team Manager