South Adelaide's Jason Horne-Francis (right) and Liam Fitt provide pressure to Norwood's Jacob Kennerley. Image: SANFL/David Mariuz
South Adelaide has kept its long-standing premiership dreams alive for another week, sending Norwood packing by 19 points on the back of a Daniel Nobes four-goal performance.
It was a case of keeping the Redlegs at arms length for most of the afternoon, especially after opening up a match high 37 point lead halfway through the third quarter.
Former Hawk Paul Puopolo made an instant impact for the Redlegs upon his return from injury, kicking the first goal of the day following a run-down tackle inside forward 50.
It took just three minutes for South Adelaide to return serve as Alex Cailotto kicked truly, which was followed by goals to Eamon Wilkinson and Nobes.
A Henry Nelligan goal late in the quarter was coupled with another Wilkinson goal, this time 11 minutes into the second quarter.
The Panthers continued on their merry way too, as Nic Schwarz broke the lines in the Adelaide afternoon sun to open up a 22 point lead 15 minutes into the second quarter.
Joel Cross kicked one before consecutive Norwood goals to captain Matthew Nunn, Lachlan Pascoe and Tristan Binder brought them back to 11-points behind.
Bryce Gibbs was proving to be influential for the Panthers, having 17 possessions and four clearances to half time, while Anthony Biemans had laid nine tackles
In a match which heralded 188 tackles, South Adelaide coach Jarrad Wright spoke post match about his side’s ability to deal with the pressure the opposition threw at them.
“I felt like we had control of the game in the first half, we just didn’t capitalise on our scoreboard pressure,” he said.
“They’re a quality pressure side and they forced us into some unforced errors in dangerous places and they capitalised.”
Sam Overall began the second half in a flash, kicking the first for South Adelaide and was backed up by a Matt Roberts snap for goal.
They kept the good times rolling as Nobes got his second and third for the afternoon within five minutes, opening a healthy 37 point lead.
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It wasn’t to last though, as the quarter continued the same way the first two had as Brad McKenzie and and Lachlan Pascoe regained some ground for Norwood.
Redlegs mentor Jade Rawlings simply said, “we weren’t good enough and we were beaten by a better team.”
“The spirit that the group showed to keep fighting from a bad situation we got ourselves in was commendable but our skill level was well below SANFL standard.
“There were times in that last quarter, there were 4-5 kicks that were missed that you just shouldn’t miss at this standard and no one tries to but that’s the difference.”
South Adelaide’s Daniel Nobes finished the day with a career-best four goals, as his side weathered a final quarter, three goal charge from Norwood.
“Nobes has been a great story,” Wright said.
“He’s come from 10-12 years of country footy, where he’s been the number one fish in a small pond and now he’s coming in an he’s a little fish in a big pond.
“But the way he’s attacked the pre-season, got himself fit, and he’s still learning and educating himself, in when to move – but we strategically posted him up deeper today.
In a crucial body blow for next week, the ever-experienced Matthew Broadbent has re-injured his hamstring, while Mitch Grigg appears set to announce his retirement from Norwood in the coming days.
Norwood 2.1 5.1 7.2 10.4 (64)
South Adelaide 3.3 6.6 11.9 12.11 (83)
GOALS – Norwood: Lachlan Pascoe 3, Paul Puopolo, Henry Nelligan, Tristan Binder, Matthew Nunn, Richard Douglas, Declan Hamilton, Brad Mckenzie.
South Adelaide: Daniel Nobes 4, Eamonn Wilkinson 2, Joel Cross 2, Alex Cailotto, Nic Schwarz, Sam Overall, Matt Roberts.
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