Rd 11 Norwood v Central Post Game Reviews

[topsywaldron]

S.Phillips: 8 frees FOR

Amazing what happens when you get to the ball first isn't it?

Two points gained and we move on.



And lest we forget.

Norwood under Basset are without a clue.

[Grahaml]

Lol. Over the course of the last decade it's been a pleasure to hear opposition supporters, both at the ground and later through the radio and internet, get amazingly carried away with one win over us. Amazing how often those teams end up as also rans. Just judge the game on it's merits, enjoy the win and look to next week. TW is right, 2 points and move on. No big statements are even worth making this time of the year.

Firstly the umpiring I thought all the frees with the exception of maybe one or two all day were reasonable. It was frustating at how many were given in the contests, but it was such a scrappy game with players going in so hard (recklessly at times even) there were always likely to be a lot of shoulders grabbed. What I don't like is the player gets to the ball first, an opposition player slides in head first to compete and the original player does little other than try to keep a handle on the ball and the guy sliding in gets a free. I say if you slide in head first and make the contact it's play on. But those are the rules as they are, so the trick is to get the ball up clean faster. The comment about umpiring not deciding the game is crap. There was a kick in it for most of the last quarter, with the final margin being 3 points every decision has a bearing on the outcome. Just like every kick, handpass and mark. It's not whether the umpires have an influence on the game (they are actually supposed to, hence their involvement) it's whether that influence is correct by the rules or not.

Anyway, onto the game, it was good to see Boyd get a run. He seemed to slot in pretty well and no doubt will get better as the year rolls on. Thought the defense for the dogs was reasonable but just off a touch. Too often Norwood's players got a metre more than they should have far too often, and our ball use was just a touch down on the required standard. Henderson started magnificently and looked like he might get 10 or more shots, but dropped out of the game, while Gunston was hardly sighted all day. Although had he held that mark in the dying minutes 60 out he might remember the day in a better light. Not too many of the mids had that great a game, but it was at least encouraging to see how often we got the ball under control first, even if we did cough it up too often.

Funny thing for me was Mal talking about Norwood's fans booing the opposition off the field, I think that's what should happen. Let them know they'd left with nothing. If you can build a fortress feel about a ground and get some opposition to fear it and the supporters then that can only help your club. What I couldn't believe was Norwood getting such an ovation from the fans at half time. I though Norwood were darn lucky to be within 5 goals personally, but to clap a team off their own ground when they're behind? Ludicrous. If you want to be a premiership contender being behind isn't good enough. Ever.

Anyway, just finally wanted to say in a game like that it gets to be just about a toss of a coin stuff. That ball pops up to Dutschke, he runs into an open goal and the dogs win. So many things can happen to make the final result you just hope that it's a good piece of play that wins the game, not a mistake that loses it. And it was a magnificent piece of play to win it. At that stage of the game, to run 50? 60? metres, burn off 3 dogs players (none who were slow or unfit) and then kick the ball that well is exactly the way to decide the game. The fact the ball was marked and kicked by someone else is to me academic. If that guy doesn't mark and goal from that position he has no right playing key forward in this comp. But the will to run that far, that hard so late and then put in a perfect kick just kills a defense. And killed the dogs today.

So well done Norwood. A win like that puts you in the box seat in that 4 way tussle for the 2 other double spot chances (assuming the dogs don't drop away of course) and that's how to win a flag. Question for them though is not just maintaining that level, but exceeding it in finals. The dogs will be better than that by then, so you'd better be able to improve as well.

[maccad]

Grahaml
Mostly Fair post

It is always good to beat the best team in the competition which everyone knows you are, as for getting excited after one win over centrals i think it is more about the last six weeks and how much more comptitive we have been after our start to the season(which we were favourites for the spoon). I think we have matched up pretty against you guys over the last 4 games winning our last 2 and blowing decent leads in the other 2. I think we can inprove on what we did today considering 4-5 of centrals goals came from silly turn-overs. Whether we can improve as much as you i can only hope.

[Adelaide Hawk]

Question for them though is not just maintaining that level, but exceeding it in finals. The dogs will be better than that by then, so you'd better be able to improve as well.

Taking things for granted? What we haven't seen from other clubs over the past decade (apart from Sturt in the 2002 GF, and Eagles in 2006) is a team who will stand up to the Dogs and play them hard. One thing we are almost coming to expect from Norwood at the moment is precisely that, a team giving their all for an entire 4 quarters.

Opposition clubs continue to sell us short because they see us once and assume it was a fluke, and whilst this is happening we are winning games. The only thing that concerns Norwood supporters at the moment is lack of depth through inability to recruit, and should we cop a few injuries to key players we could pull up short. I've watched Norwood over the past 6 weeks and I know one thing .... our very best will be very hard for anyone to beat, including Central.

Never assume everything will just fall into place .. it may not happen.

[Squawk]

Maybe this is a good team to lock this thread and re-open it again in round 17 when the next the two clubs meet.

After all, our next opponent is in our sights now (Sturt) and likewise, it's the same for Centrals no doubt (who play West).

[JK]

Excellent post Graham ... For mine, it's always been about Norwood needing to take some strides this season, and they've probably taken more than I'd originally ever hoped for, or thought possible - That said you have to expect them to continue, I think that's our job as supporters.

In the last 3 matches between these clubs at the Parade that have all been close, I think the Dogs had been noticably below their best in intensity for long periods, yet their best for even small periods was enough to decide the contest (or keep it close).

Whilst I'm pretty certain the Dogs will improve on todays effort (via a combination of a. personnel, b. improved performance and c. bigger ground), it's the best Dogs performance I think I've seen against us in a few seasons and we stood up, so that has to be a plus for our development (IMHO anyway).

As for the booing of the opposition, well I was too far away to notice it (and maybe too spent from the last quarter lol) .. But I'd hope my club becomes good enough to get abused by all and sundry and keep winning the important matches.

PS: A coupla of ripper gutsy marks by Dogs boys running with the flight at the Southern end today, and ditto for some Nick Lower smothers, was some great desperation on display.

[whufc]

Question for them though is not just maintaining that level, but exceeding it in finals. The dogs will be better than that by then, so you'd better be able to improve as well.

Taking things for granted? What we haven't seen from other clubs over the past decade (apart from Sturt in the 2002 GF, and Eagles in 2006) is a team who will stand up to the Dogs and play them hard. One thing we are almost coming to expect from Norwood at the moment is precisely that, a team giving their all for an entire 4 quarters.

Opposition clubs continue to sell us short because they see us once and assume it was a fluke, and whilst this is happening we are winning games. The only thing that concerns Norwood supporters at the moment is lack of depth through inability to recruit, and should we cop a few injuries to key players we could pull up short. I've watched Norwood over the past 6 weeks and I know one thing .... our very best will be very hard for anyone to beat, including Central.

Never assume everything will just fall into place .. it may not happen.

Like Graham was pointing out the Sturt, Glenelg, North and Eagles supporters have all been saying that over this decade in the month of july only to find it a different story come september/october.

Thrown in the forward line Schell and Havelberg instead of Gunston who hasn't played ten league games and Goodrem who is playing as a CHF when really his a HFF or FP and the structure looks completley different.

Then throw in an Eddie Sansbury and our forward line from yesterday goes from being a small young forward line, to a well balanced experienced forward line with proven form on the biggest SANFL stage.

I haven't even included qualified AFL players Griffen and Nash.

Personally there is alot more room for improvement from the Dogs compared to Norwood imho. Add to that the finals aren't played on a postage stamp ground which clearly doesn't suit the Dogs style and i think Lairdy would be pretty comfortable if Norwood are the second best team in the comp this year.

[Dogwatcher]

Well done Legs, not dead anymore.

[topsywaldron]

You're having an argument with yourself here, no Norwood supporter thinks we'll be playing you for the premiership this year.

A couple of unrelated points however. Norwood Oval isn't suited to the expansive game Bassett has them playing, I can't wait to play you at Elizabeth Oval in a little while.

For all of your world class moaning about injuries you seem to forget Norwood also have a few key players out. Add to that you were handed by the AFL a key marking forward, Westhoff, and a gun midfielder, Symes, both of whom had an impact, Symes especially.

[Dutchy]

Like Graham was pointing out the Sturt, Glenelg, North and Eagles supporters have all been saying that over this decade in the month of july only to find it a different story come september/october.

2002 & 2006 didnt exist?

[whufc]

Like Graham was pointing out the Sturt, Glenelg, North and Eagles supporters have all been saying that over this decade in the month of july only to find it a different story come september/october.

2002 & 2006 didnt exist?

What happened in those years Dutchy, IIRC they were rest seasons weren't they.

[Wedgie]

Like Graham was pointing out the Sturt, Glenelg, North and Eagles supporters have all been saying that over this decade in the month of july only to find it a different story come september/october

Care to show me where North supporters were saying this in July of any year in the last decade?

[sjt]

The legs clearly are contenders this year. Unlike last year this win hasn't been a "one off", given they've beaten some quality opposition.
We may have some players under done a bit, however I believe Schell is the major out at the moment (excluding Sully) and maybe Eddy. But we had Westhoff back this week and Norwood had some key players out also.
I don't think it a major "hiccup", Norwood obviously are quality opposition and the game could have gone either way.
Hopefully not to much damage, other than the confidence it would have given Norwood.
Not too fussed about players being booed off by some, I'm sure the courtesy is often reciprocated.
Couldn't make the game, but the commentators were critical off the umps. Especially if players ducked their heads and were rewarded.

The game sounded like a great advertisement of real football. How good is the SANFL this year!

[nwdfanparade]

One of the most enthralling games Ive seen
SPOILT
Both sides came off the arenaat games end
The CD players who gave it all and lost left the field at the players race
The crowd was BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOing them
Why ?
Why BOO a team that provided those spectators with an unforgettable display
I will assume it wuz a very large crowd of NW barrackers who BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOed

Pathetic, I was ashamed and embarrased to be a NW barracker

To those, including myself, who clapped the gallant Dogs players off well done
The BOOOOOOers #$%^$%^&^$#$% ...

I cannot think of an occasion where the Doggie ARMY hasn't booed a losing Norwood team off the oval at Coopers.

When Norwood only kicked 1 goal 3 behinds against Glg a couple of years ago, the Snout's louts gave the Norwood players heaps of s##t when they went down the race.

The Doggie ARMY aren't used to losing games and not use to or aware of the reactions of oppositions supporters towards losing teams. Hopefully in future games. you'll get use to it.

[sjt]

One of the most enthralling games Ive seen
SPOILT
Both sides came off the arenaat games end
The CD players who gave it all and lost left the field at the players race
The crowd was BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOing them
Why ?
Why BOO a team that provided those spectators with an unforgettable display
I will assume it wuz a very large crowd of NW barrackers who BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOed

Pathetic, I was ashamed and embarrased to be a NW barracker

To those, including myself, who clapped the gallant Dogs players off well done
The BOOOOOOers #$%^$%^&^$#$% ...

I cannot think of an occasion where the Doggie ARMY hasn't booed a losing Norwood team off the oval at Coopers.

When Norwood only kicked 1 goal 3 behinds against Glg a couple of years ago, the Snout's louts gave the Norwood players heaps of s##t when they went down the race.

The Doggie ARMY aren't used to losing games and not use to or aware of the reactions of oppositions supporters towards losing teams. Hopefully in future games. you'll get use to it.

It was actually raised by a Norwood supporter. So far, no doggies supporter has seen it as an issue. Hopefully we wont get used to it, but we have lost games over the last decade and before.

[dogs01]

The legs clearly are contenders this year. Unlike last year this win hasn't been a "one off", given they've beaten some quality opposition.
We may have some players under done a bit, however I believe Schell is the major out at the moment (excluding Sully) and maybe Eddy. But we had Westhoff back this week and Norwood had some key players out also.
I don't think it a major "hiccup", Norwood obviously are quality opposition and the game could have gone either way.
Hopefully not to much damage, other than the confidence it would have given Norwood.
Not too fussed about players being booed off by some, I'm sure the courtesy is often reciprocated.
Couldn't make the game, but the commentators were critical off the umps. Especially if players ducked their heads and were rewarded.

The game sounded like a great advertisement of real football. How good is the SANFL this year!

I'll take Schell and(or) havelberg over westhoff any day of the week. At times he didnt even look interested, the same reasons he got dropped from the power, some of his chasing made Fevs chases look like he was doing a 100m sprint, and struggled to bend his back.Westhoff is a very talented footballer who is a helluva lot better than what he is showing, so hopefully he realises this and can stand up when playing for us and then force his way back in the power side.
We missed a lot of zip around the forward line with eddie not being there, so he will be a massive inclusion.

[Rik E Boy]

BASSET HOUND BEATS THE DOGS

YOU RIPPA!



regards,

REB

[HeartBeatsTrue]

Great game and great win by Norwood. Thats the SANFL we all want to see.

By no means should we be excited yet. The dogs still have quality to come into their side and would not be near top gear given how far from finals we are and their ladder position meaning they could afford to lose.

[tnt]

Doggies supporters didnt seem to have too much time for Westoff and were into him all day. What's the story here ?

[NFC]

Central supporters; you lost yesterday, let us enjoy it. So suck it up and take comfort in the fact you WILL win the flag, no one is questioning that.