Norwood win 2024 SANFL Reserves Premiership

By TOM WYMAN

Norwood defeated Sturt by 16 points at Adelaide Oval to claim its first Reserves premiership since 2019.

The minor premier Redlegs, coached by Aaron Jelfs, led at every change as the inaccurate Double Blues failed to apply meaningful scoreboard pressure.

As would become a theme of the game, both sides missed opportunities early, before Redlegs forward Jay Polkinghorne finally broke the deadlock at the 16-minute mark by running into an open goal.

In the shadows of quarter time, Norwood’s Goy Lok found teammate Liam Robinson inside-50 and he converted to give the Redlegs a handy 15-point lead.

Sturt lifted after the break but weren’t able to convert, until wingman Alex Holt launched a terrific goal from well beyond the 50m arc to spark his side.

Holt was also instrumental in the Double Blues second goal, as his long run and precise kick found Luca Slade who made no mistake with the set-shot.

Despite having 59 extra disposals and 12 more inside-50s than the Double Blues, Norwood entered the half-time break frustrated to lead by just seven points.

Robinson kicked his second early in the third term, and he and fellow forward Polkinghorne stood up by booting two late goals and increasing the three-quarter time margin to 21 points.

Desperate to gather momentum, Sturt pegged a goal back through Tommy McCormack, but any glimmer of a Double Blues comeback was extinguished by Isaac Saywell, who ran into an open goal and kicked the sealer.

Despite falling to Sturt in the semi-final by 67 points just a fortnight ago, Norwood were able to reverse the result by winning the midfield battle and controlling much of the play.

Saywell was awarded the Bob Lee Medal for best on ground, having gathered 30 disposals, five marks and four inside-50s on the wing.

Robinson’s three-straight goals proved decisive on a day of inaccuracy, while the efforts of Ben Simpson, Xavier Tranfa and Luke Bogle were important through the midfield.

Brad Jeffries finished as Sturt’s leading ball-winner with 28 disposals and Alex Holt gathered 24 disposals and an equal-game high seven inside-50s.