Round 3 Game of the Week – Norwood v Sturt

By ZAC MILBANK

Why is it Game of the Week?
It’s always a fierce rivalry between the south-eastern rivals, ensuring a big crowd and exciting atmosphere is always present regardless of the venue. But with good weather forecast for Friday night’s blockbuster, there’s no reason to suggest a crowd in excess of 5,000 won’t roll into The Parade to see the Redlegs host the Double Blues. On the field, Norwood is yet to hit its straps but like all good sides do, it has managed to still bank the premiership points from both of its encounters. Two of its stars in Matt Panos and Lewis Johnston will be celebrating their 100-game milestones so there will be plenty of incentive to make it three in a row. The Double Blues are coming off what coach Nathan Grima described as a character-building win, having fought their way back against an ominous Woodville-West Torrens outfit. They will be without consistent defender Guy Page for the first time in 124 matches but there’s still plenty of experience in the back half with Jack Stephens racking up 22 disposals against the Eagles. It promises to be a beauty.

For the Record
Overall
Played: 278
Norwood: 153
Sturt: 121
Drawn: 4

At The Parade
Played: 115
Norwood: 70
Sturt: 41
Drawn: 4

The Last Three
Round 14 2018 – Norwood 20.12 (132) d Sturt 11.12 (78) at Peter Motley Oval
Round 1 2018 – Sturt 9.15 (69) d Norwood 7.15 (57) at The Parade
Round 18 2017 – Norwood 11.10 (76) drew with Sturt 10.16 (76) at The Parade

Key Match-Up
Mitch Grigg (Norwood) v Zane Kirkwood (Sturt)
It’s not often you get to see two dual Magarey Medallists go head-to-head in the centre square, and for this reason alone, it is worth the admission price on Friday night. Grigg, who was surprisingly overlooked by AFL clubs during the off-season, is at the top of his game using his booming left-foot kick to positive effect. After two games, he is already averaging 29 disposals this year. Sturt captain Kirkwood hasn’t been as productive in terms of numbers but that hasn’t diminished his intent as he ferociously throws himself into endless contests. The triple Fos Williams Medallist is also getting more help in the midfield with a fit and firing Aidan Riley, together with James Battersby, which looms as a tough unit for Norwood to quell.