Sturt vs Norwood
Sunday July 4th, Peter Motley Oval
Match Review by Sarah List
The knees of the Norwood faithful were shaky until they notched their first win of the 2020 in Round 4 against the Bulldogs. Meanwhile Sturt had an up and down start to the season composed of win, and the round 5 match looked like it could go to anyone. Both teams opened the day looking like they had something to prove.
From the opening bounce, both teams were aggressively courting the ball, tackling hard and giving little space to their opposition. Early on, Sturt took their chances with greater composure than Norwood and added five goals to the Legs’ one. At the 20th minute, the game found a more even keel and the teams exchanged goals tit for tat, leaving Sturt with a solid 24 point lead at the first break. Despite trailing, this match didn’t have the same feel as the week that saw the Redlegs beaten substantially by a superior Eagles side, and the fans belief remained buoyant.
The second quarter continued with the tough, even contest. Goals by Douglas, Panos and Pinyon without reply had the Legs within eight points of the Double Blues at the 18 minute mark. A single goal by Morrison kept Sturt ahead, but neither side was dominant to etch out a clear advantage.
The third quarter opened with Sturt 13 points up, but that was quickly whittled away by pair of majors from Pinyon and another from Grigg and suddenly the Legs were in front. Sturt remained goalless for the third quarter, but Norwood continued its recent habit of lacking accuracy both on the run and from set shots that might have seen them further ahead than five points at three quarter time.
The last quarter saw Norwood flex its muscle early to extend the lead to 17 points, but Sturt steadied to add a goal via Hone and a couple of loose behinds to draw closer to the Legs. A steadier from Douglas gave Norwood some breathing room, but Sturt would not lay down. At the 21 minute mark, the Legs finally broke Sturt’s persistent defense and added another goal via Wilkins. A late major at the 27 minute mark to Sutcliffe proved too late to will the Double Blues to snatch a victory, and the Legs secured a desperately fought 15 point win in their most convincing display of the season.
There was a real sense of achievement and satisfaction as the Norwood side left the field, and they will certainly be looking to replicate that tenacity and fight for the remining rounds to pose a genuine flag threat in 2020.
Round 6:
WOODVILLE-WEST TORRENS v CENTRAL DISTRICT, MAUGHAN THIEM KIA OVAL, SAT 1ST AUG, 2:10PM
WEST ADELAIDE v NORWOOD — HISENSE STADIUM, SATURDAY 1ST AUGUST, 2:10PM
NORTH ADELAIDE v SOUTH ADELAIDE – PROSPECT OVAL, SATURDAY 1ST AUGUST, 2:10PM
GLENELG v STURT – ACH GROUP STADIUM, SUNDAY 2ND AUGUST, 2:10PM
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