SANFL Snapshot – Friday Night

Norwood went without a goal for more than a half but that didn’t prevent the Redlegs from earning a hard-fought nine-point win against South Adelaide at The Parade.

Desperate to atone for lack-lustre losses to North Adelaide and West Adelaide in the past fortnight, the hosts made their move with a five-goal second term, punctuated by the early favourite for Mark of the Year from Paul Puopolo.

Featured in the clip below, the triple Hawthorn premiership forward soared high over Panthers captain Matt Rose to take the eye-catching grab midway through the second stanza.

Puopolo converted, giving his side a 21-point lead immediately on the back of a second major to Cam Shenton.

And once Tasmanian forward Jackson Callow nailed his set shot on the stroke of half-time, the Redlegs suddenly led a previously unbeaten South by 26 points.

It would prove to be enough of a buffer after the second half became a genuine slog – the visitors’ three goals the only ones kicked after the main change.

Dual Magarey Medallist Joel Cross, featured in the clip below, gave his side a pulse in the 23rd minute but ultimately, South left its run too late to steal the premiership points.

Norwood’s Richard Douglas rebounded from a quiet night in Round 4 to stamp himself on the contest with 30 disposals, four tackles and four clearances while Brad McKenzie made a welcome return to also register 30 touches and six tackles.

Former Cat Jacob Kennerley laid an impressive 13 tackles to go with his 24 touches, only to be outdone by captain Matt Nunn who laid 16 tackles with his 20 disposals and six clearances.

South defender Joe Haines tallied 28 disposals across half-back while Bryce Gibbs (22 disposals) and Joel Cross (19 with his goal) battled hard in the absence of fellow experienced campaigner Matthew Broadbent.