Round 10 - Norwood v Central @ Norwood - 2.10pm Sat 4/6/11

[The Apostle]

I reckon the weather that is supposedly coming will kill this match...

[Jim05]

I reckon the weather that is supposedly coming will kill this match...

You beauty, the parade mudbowl might make a comeback

[Norwoodman78]

I have clearly noticed that this topic has not been sabotaged with crap!!! At least its talking about the game...
I am impressed with some of the comments from Central supporters.
Yes I agree both teams are evenly matched but I believe Norwood though still lacking 1 decent ruckman. The team is very versatile which has its positives and negative's. Central's have seasoned players and will have the edge in experience.
Norwood with belief can go all the way this game and beyond. We have the team we have the coaches we just need more belief.
Schultz, Pfeiffer and Webber along with Campbell have played some fantastic football, Eagleton could be put to better use but I think he could come into his own before the major round!!!

Norwood by 6 points.

[whufc]

Whats been the deal with Pfeiffer this year, he was openely critisied at his last 2 AFL clubs for having a p**s poor attitude. He then was delisted by Carlton and heads up to the GC where the Gold Coast AFL side werent interested. Comes back to Norwood and plays some really good football.

Has his attitude changed?

Is that the influence from Bassett or other players around?

Or has he simply 'grown up'?

Playing some exciting football and providing run from the half back lines which alot of people thought Norwood would lose with Duigan and Pupolo in the AFL system.

Wonder if Lairdy has read this part of an article from Adelaide Nows Monday Morning Centremen

Are you a West fan wondering why Norwood defender Darren Pfeiffer was allowed to run free at half back racking up possessions at will in the first half on Friday night?

It appears your frustration should be directed towards James Ezard.

As West coach Andrew Collins explained after the game, Ezard was playing at half forward and was Pfeiffer's direct opponent.

``Jimmy Ezard should have been there,'' Collins said.

``We spoke about that prior to the game and we had some selfish play occurring. Jimmy wanted to hunt the footy up and Pfeiffer dropped back.''

So why wasn't the runner sent out to address the issue before Pfeiffer had finished the half with 15 possessions and Norwood was well on its way to victory?

``We did mate,'' Collins said. ``And so we've got real issues don't we in regards to some of our senior leaders.''

It's ridiculous to put all the blame on Ezard for West's 54-point loss - its first under lights at Richmond - but he certainly had an impact.

It was the second week in a row the Bloods had been killed by an opponent playing loose in defence after Mark McKenzie's superb performance for the Eagles last week.

If West (and by West I guess I mean Ezard) is going to allow the opposition to have an extra player in defence it needs the player it has loose at the opposite end to be equally - or more - effective.

Chris Schmidt played the loose man role at times, but nowhere near as well as Pfeiffer, or Kieran McGuinness who took over the duties for the Legs in the second half.

``Westies have more numbers back than most sides but it makes it more difficult for them to score and we made sure we identified some good guys that could get in the way and be the free (players),'' Norwood coach Nathan Bassett said.

``McKenzie was really effective last week sitting in holes and I thought Pfeiffer and a bit of McGuinness tonight was really effective.

[Squawk]

Not sure about what's behind the renaissance of Pfeiffer. As a younger guy, he seemed to like to enjoy flirting on the edges of life and got himself in a bit of trouble with various footy clubs. Nowadays he seems to have reached a place of contentment in his mind (perhaps) and is just keen to enjoy footy without too much expectation hanging over him? He has also built up his upper body strength and become more of an inside player than he ever was - not that he is a complete inside player, but he will get in there where previously he liked to hang out the back and receive the spoils of the hard work of others. Nonetheless, I think Pfeiffer and Suckling have been higher value "team" recruits than Eagleton. The latter is probably a better player but the other two are making a bigger impact.

whufc, you once said (IIRC) that Laird's view is that "Phillips is the barometer for Norwood". In his absence, who would that be now do you think? I suspect laird will really focus on McGuinness as he did in finals last year, but are there any other barometers that might be targetted (ie to be shut down) by a Paul Thomas, for example?

[whufc]

I think Pfiffer might be the guy Lairdy puts alot of emphasis on.

In the last few games at the Parade imho Norwood have killed the dogs with their run from the half back line and their ability to go straight through the center of the ground at pace, giving our defenders no chance when the ball is coming into the defensive 50.

Personally i wouldnt be surprised to see Paul Thomas play a tagging role on Pfieffer as Thommo has played in the forward lines a fair bit this year and also can be dangerous while attacking making Pfieffer respect his opponent (not to say he didnt against west i honestly didnt see). If we can stop Norwood runs from the half back flank it will go a long way to winning this game.

Im interested in who Norwood will have play on the Obstacle. His a bit taller and more athletic than we have had in the previous few seasons. I rate the Norwood defence big time but i wouldnt call them a 'tall' defence. I think he could prove to be a real threat to the Norwood side.

I maybe alone here but i see Bryce Campbell as a real indicator as to how Norwood are going in a game. I rate him bigtime and while i wouldnt 'tag' him he is a definate a player Laird wont want to see winning alot of hard ball gets.

[Squawk]

Forgive my ignorance, but who is "the Obstacle"?

[whufc]

Alan Obst

Sorry bad line!

[Dogwatcher]

Allan Obst

Obst, Obstacle....geddit?

[Squawk]

LOL at you two - "Obst" is easier to type than "The Obstacle" I was imagining it was a Sutherland type of player, in terms of physique

This should be a good game, no doubt. Definitely a winnable one for Norwood being at home, and based on results of the last fortnight. Selections could be a big influence before the ball is even bounced though - Gowans, Hayes, Callinan and possibly Henderson may all be "ins" whilst we wait to find out whether guys like Hughes and Gallagher will be available for selection or not.

I really hope the umpiring doesn't knaw away at the match. Just let the players go for it.

[Rik E Boy]

What? We have to play Centrals again? RIGGED!

regards,

REB

[sjt]

Just out of interest, I was thinking how different the two teams may be on the weekend compared to the GF teams.

Outs for CD are: Boyd, Schell, Nash, Lawry, Mackenzie, Dutschke and O'Hara (7). Maybes/Doubtful at the moment, Hayes, Gunston, J Gowans, Sibenaler and Callinan.(potentially 5, but could be none). I imagine Norwood's will be quite different also.

[gossipgirl]

how come norwood/centrals games arent under lights anymore

[sjt]

how come norwood/centrals games arent under lights anymore

Don't need lights during the day.

[The Sleeping Giant]

how come norwood/centrals games arent under lights anymore

Be careful.

[Squawk]

how come norwood/centrals games arent under lights anymore

Because it has been a similar scenario to GFC and the City of Holdfast Bay getting together to talk about lights at the Bay.

[JK]

Just on Pfeiffer, I dont think he landed himself in strife at Carlton, I just think he didn't do enough to retain a place on their list.

He likely would have been the ideal sorta bloke to run around with Thomas on Anzac Day as they have many similarities (good tank, hard edge) .. The unknown would be whether Pfeiff had/has the footy smarts that Thomas possesses.

[Big Phil]

Selections could be a big influence before the ball is even bounced though - Gowans, Hayes, Callinan and possibly Henderson may all be "ins" whilst we wait to find out whether guys like Hughes and Gallagher will be available for selection or not.

Hughes - He has had issues with his shins all year hasn't he mate? I'd say he wont play this week!!

Gallagher - Depends on what decision he ended up making on having the operation on Thursday or not?

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=32234&p=1295993#p1295993

[Jim05]

Selections could be a big influence before the ball is even bounced though - Gowans, Hayes, Callinan and possibly Henderson may all be "ins" whilst we wait to find out whether guys like Hughes and Gallagher will be available for selection or not.

Hughes - He has had issues with his shins all year hasn't he mate? I'd say he wont play this week!!

Gallagher - Depends on what decision he ended up making on having the operation on Thursday or not?

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=32234&p=1295993#p1295993

He was almost ready to go last week. Wouldnt be surprised if he played but probably come back through the two's

[The Sleeping Giant]

Alan Obst

Sorry bad line!

Can't even use being drunk as an excuse for that one.