Hostplus SANFL Snapshot – First Semi-Final

Norwood’s surge into September continues to gather significant momentum as it eclipsed Adelaide by  34 points in the Hostplus SANFL League First Semi Final at Adelaide Oval.

Stringing together their fifth win in succession, the Redlegs built on their impressive Elimination Final triumph with an impressive performance against a lack-lustre Crows outfit with a 15.14 (104) to 10.10 (70) victory.

Right from the start the Legs set the tone with their fierce tackling whilst denying Adelaide any space to get their trademark running game in motion.

Norwood veteran Pierce Seymour had a huge influence on the outcome of the cut-throat contest as he controlled the air in the back half to snare 10 marks to go with his 19 disposals.

Fittingly, the 30-year-old was adjudged the Hostplus Performance Player in his 100th League match whilst displaying plenty of courage in contested situations.

The Legs led at every change as they finished with 51-44 inside 50s whilst running the ball nicely through the corridor at every opportunity.

Medium Norwood forward Jayden Gale bobbed up for a career-best haul of five majors from eight kicks while Baynen Lowe lifted his output to tally 2.3 from 23 touches.

Billy Cootee worked his way into the game for Norwood with a team-high 25 disposals and a goal while Nik Rokahr collected 24 disposals.

Redlegs captain Jacob Kennerley made his presence felt at important junctures with 17 disposals and two goals while Finn Heard battles manfully despite being under-sized, racking up 16 disposals, seven clearances and a goal opposed to the daunting Crows ruck combination of Lachlan McAndrew and Kieran Strachan.

Coming off a shock one-point loss to Glenelg in a taxing Qualifying Final, the Crows were bundled out of the finals series in straight sets as Harry Schoenberg led the way with 25 disposals, 10 clearances and a long-running goal from 50m.

Lachie Murphy and Luke Nankervis each chalked up 20 disposals for the Crows while stalwart development player Jay Boyle had 16 disposals and four marks in his 100th Hostplus SANFL League game.

Norwood will now prepare for next Sunday’s Preliminary Final against Glenelg at Adelaide Oval, with the only concern being over key defender Tom Donnelly who spent a large part of the final term on the interchange.

In the lead up to the First Semi, Norwood coach Jade Sheedy had lamented his team’s slow starts against Adelaide and in the Elimination Final.

His side began in stark contrast against the Crows, producing a fierce physical presence around the stoppages as they applied 15 tackles to three after the opening 10 minutes.

And it began to translate on the scoreboard as the Legs led by as much as 26 points when Baynen Lowe curled his shot around from tight on the boundary line in the eighth minute of the second term.

Norwood’s inside 50 count reached as high as 18 to the Crows’ six at this point but it didn’t take long for Adelaide to threaten as Brayden Cook – who booted six goals in the Qualifying Final – and Chris Burgess hit the scoreboard with back-to-back majors.

Crow Sid Draper sent a scare through his camp when he limped to the boundary with an apparent concern to his left ankle but he reappeared within five minutes to finish the first half strongly.