Round 11 - Nwd v Central District @ Nwd Sun 6th June 2:10pm

[whufc]

Walker made a fair contribution against the Dogs in the Legs' win late last year didn't he?

Did he play in the last game where they did beat us.

He kicked 6 or something by half time against early in the year at the Ponderosa and then Norwood were 'allegedly' told not to kick it to him.

[JK]

Walker made a fair contribution against the Dogs in the Legs' win late last year didn't he?

Think so mate, probably had greater scoreboard output though in our loss at the Ponderosa .. As much as I love to have Walks in our side, reality suggests we're unlikely to see much of him ever again so it doesn't fuss me to see him unavailable, as we need to develop a good enough group to not have to rely on him (or any AFL listed player).

[StrayDog]

As much as I love to have Walks in our side, reality suggests we're unlikely to see much of him ever again so it doesn't fuss me to see him unavailable, as we need to develop a good enough group to not have to rely on him (or any AFL listed player).

Blessing in disguise for your camp perhaps?

[JK]

As much as I love to have Walks in our side, reality suggests we're unlikely to see much of him ever again so it doesn't fuss me to see him unavailable, as we need to develop a good enough group to not have to rely on him (or any AFL listed player).

Blessing in disguise for your camp perhaps?

Personally I think whilst it's often not recognised immediately, I think down the track it is a blessing.

[topsywaldron]

He kicked 6 or something by half time against early in the year at the Ponderosa and then Norwood were 'allegedly' told not to kick it to him.

But something fantastic did happen after that game....

[Rik E Boy]

But yes, I'm sure you would like your club to be hated again.
As all supporters would hope for theirs.

I'd settle for winning back a little respect after the decade we have just gone through. Even in 2002 we went missing against the Blues in those finals.

regards,

REB

[CENTURION]

EXTREMELY important game for Us this Sunday, win & We are 2 games plus a lot of percentage ahead of the rest.

[Big Phil]

A bit of discussion on this game over on the localfootysa.com web site, as per the link provided below:

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl ... 5874088240

Writer's Roundtable - Round 11

Our SANFL writers Reece Homfray, Kym Morgan, Warren Partland and Jai Bednall break down this Sunday's blockbuster clash between Norwood and Central District.

Do you expect either team to make any changes at selection this week?

RH: The Dogs should bring in young Jack Hannath for injured ruckman Cameron Milne. Daniel Schell and Matthew Westhoff will be considered and I'd tip James Boyd to make his league debut after two best-ons in the ressies. You would expect Norwood to bring in experienced David Trotter to counter Central's cool-heads and if Stuart Bown doesn't come up from his corked thigh it could be a straight swap.

KM: Central will be forced to re-jig their line up to replace Cameron Milne but I cant see them bringing in a youngster like Jack Hannath for such a big match. Justin Hardy will help Jason MacKenzie in the ruck meaning Andrew Hayes and Heath Lawry will play on Sam Rowe and Matt Davis in the Norwood forward line.

WP: Any changes will depend on injuries. The Bulldogs need a back up ruckman for Jason MacKenzie after Cameron Milne dislocated his hip against South Adelaide. There are injury clouds over David Trotter and Stuart Bown at Norwood but little reason to alter a winning combination. Former Panther James Boyd must be a serious contender for selection for the Bulldogs after returning from injury with best-on-ground performances in the reserves. Plenty of class still on the sidelines for the Bulldogs.

JB: Central's line-up will be affected by which AFL players it has available. Brad Symes would be a chance for a Crows recall, while Jay Nash and Jon Griffin could return. James Boyd should also come in after two best-ons in the Reserves. So at a guess, Boyd and Nash in, Cameron Milne (injured) and Leigh Westhoff (omitted) out. As for Norwood, I expect Stuart Bown to come up from a corked thigh and David Trotter to miss another week with his ankle, so no changes.



Which team has the edge in the midfield?

RH: You still can't go past Central's midfield purely because of its depth. Norwood plays the corridor very well but if it's a scrappy game with plenty of stoppages I'd say the Dogs have the edge. Paul Thomas, Ian Callinan, Ryan Williams, Chris and James Gowans, Brayden O'Hara and Scott Dutschke -- there's seven first-choice players who can all go through the middle.

KM: Norwood just. Would be a different story at Elizabeth but I think on a small ground like The Parade the Legs midfielders will be able to apply the suffocating, high tackle style of football that helped them belt Sturt and the Bays. Campbell, Gallagher, Zorzi, Lower and Weatherald against The Gowans brothers, Symes, Callinan and Thomas - what a cracking battle we're set for.

WP: Norwood's midfield has been explosive with Bryce Campbell, Brett Zorzi, Nick Lower and Tim Weatherald hard at it. Ian Callinan has been outstanding for the Bulldogs and Chris and James Gowans were superb against the Panthers. The Bulldogs have worries in the ruck with MacKenzie struggling for form while Brady Dawe is developing nicely at the Redlegs.

JB: Neither. Norwood's top five of Nick Lower, Bryce Campbell, Tim Weatherald, Brett Zorzi and James Gallagher are all in fantastic form. But so are Ian Callinan, Paul Thomas and Ryan Williams at the Bulldogs. Brayden O'Hara took a step forward on Saturday too and Brad Symes is back, so it's pretty much a wash. The key for Norwood will be getting its hands on the footy first. As good as Norwood's tackling and pressure in the midfield was against the Eagles, the Eagles won the clearances 33-18. They can't afford to have that bigger discrepancy against the Bulldogs, who will use the ball better than the Eagles did and hold it in their forward line longer.



Which Norwood player should stand Dogs dangerman Ian Callinan?

RH: Paul Puopolo has got to be the best like-for-like opponent for Callinan. Small, zippy and a great shut-down player. If that doesn't work, Nick Duigan (although he's 15cm taller) could be an option with his agility. If Callinan goes through the middle, Tim Weatherald showed three weeks ago he can run with the best (James Allan) and do a good job.

KM: Paul Puopolo is just about the perfect match up. He's become the best lock-down small defender in the league, so it would give journos like ourselves a contest within a contest to write about. If it eventuates Callinan needs to spend as much on time on the ball as he can and test Puopolo aerobically.

WP: The Redlegs have been hard at the ball and should back themselves to win possession without worrying about who to stand Callinan. Paul Puopolo will probably get him when he drifts forward.

JB: Tim Weatherald when Callinan's in the midfield, Paul Puopolo when he's up forward. Bassett should also direct every single player on his team to rough up Callinan when they get the chance because he's a match-winner.



Will Roy Laird send someone to shut down in-form Legs defender Kieran McGuinness?

RH: Not unless McGuinness plays loose and gets too much of the footy.

KM: If I was coaching the Dogs I'd give Trent Goodrem this role. He's been in good form and can play as an accountable forward. I've got no doubt Laird will have a plan in mind to make McGuinness as accountable as possible.

WP: It is doubtful if Roy Laird would worry about shutting down a defender. He will demand his forwards apply plenty of defensive pressure and quell his run.

JB: Reducing the amount of ball McGuinness gets is crucial to stopping the Redlegs because he sets up so much play from half-back. Of the three Bulldogs that played as key forwards last week - Jack Gunston, Ricky Henderson and Trent Goodrem - Goodrem has the most footy smarts to be aware of McGuinness' movements. So while Laird won't send someone directly to pick up McGuinness unless he plays loose (like Laird did when sending Lee Spurr to run with Damon White against North) he'll make sure his direct opponent doesn't venture too far from the damaging left-footer.



Which team does this game mean more to?

RH: It's got to mean more to Norwood surely. Home ground, five in a row and this is their big chance to prove they are the real deal. No bigger test than the Doggies.

KM: Norwood. The Dogs have half a dozen players still to return from injury and they'll be top at the end of the round regardless of the result. Norwood needs to keep winning if it is to set itself up for a finals double chance and, ladder repercussions aside, the Legs will want to make a statement to Central and the league that they can mix it with the best.

WP: The Bulldogs are a game clear at the top of the ladder and have played one less game than the other eight sides. Norwood would gain plenty of confidence and creditability with a victory and it would continue their push up the ladder.

JB: The match is important for Norwood in terms of ladder position and because it's an opportunity for them to send a message to the Bulldogs. If the Legs lose and North and the Eagles both win on the weekend, Norwood will drop to fourth and be back level on wins with West and North. As for the Dogs, a victory over Norwood would give them wins against every other side in the top six and renewed confidence they are on track for another flag entering the second half of the season.



And finally, who will win?

RH: Norwood to rise to the challenge. When you're hot, you're hot.

KM: Norwood. Right now, I think the Redlegs are the form side in the competition and I think on the Parade they'll win in a close one. This is the match of the season to date by a long way. Despite the inequity in ladder finishes over the last decade Norwood-Central is one of the fiercest modern day rivalries in the SANFL. Night matches between the clubs have been banned because of supporter clashes. The last three times they've played at Norwood the result has been decided by less than a goal.

WP: Norwood has beaten Sturt, Glenelg, North Adelaide and Woodville-West Torrens in its past four games and is on the charge. It is playing with confidence and enormous desperation. The Bulldogs are still not producing a consistent effort and they have been hit by injuries. On form the Redlegs should get the two points.

JB: As much as I'd like to I can't tip against the Bulldogs. Central by 18 points.

[wycbloods]

Centrals by 5 goals.

[Brucetiki]

Since Norwood have started their revival, I have been waiting for them to stumble (I still have not tipped them at all this season so far).

However, each week they knock off another quality opponent, including an easy win over 2nd placed Glenelg, and a solid win over the 4th placed Eagles last weekend, and they cannot be taken lightly.

The last few Centrals v Norwood matches at Coopers Stadium have been epics, with the last three matches between the two sides at the ground decided by a total margin of 9 points. Norwood also have a tendecy to lift when they play Centrals, particularly at Coopers Stadium.

Centrals, however, have been on the rampage since the ANZAC Day debacle, winning all their matches since by an average of 52 points. Their form even more exciting considering the injuries that have plagued the side this year - and the tendecy to regain one player from injury, then lose another to injury.

In what will be an entertaining match, I reckon Centrals will win, and will win by 5 points in another epic.

[Squawk]

He kicked 6 or something by half time against early in the year at the Ponderosa and then Norwood were 'allegedly' told not to kick it to him.

But something fantastic did happen after that game....

very astute Topsy.

[mal]

Since Norwood have started their revival, I have been waiting for them to stumble (I still have not tipped them at all this season so far).

However, each week they knock off another quality opponent, including an easy win over 2nd placed Glenelg, and a solid win over the 4th placed Eagles last weekend, and they cannot be taken lightly.

The last few Centrals v Norwood matches at Coopers Stadium have been epics, with the last three matches between the two sides at the ground decided by a total margin of 9 points. Norwood also have a tendecy to lift when they play Centrals, particularly at Coopers Stadium.

Centrals, however, have been on the rampage since the ANZAC Day debacle, winning all their matches since by an average of 52 points. Their form even more exciting considering the injuries that have plagued the side this year - and the tendecy to regain one player from injury, then lose another to injury.

In what will be an entertaining match, I reckon Centrals will win, and will win by 5 points in another epic.

NW needed a shake up after thier 4 loss in 4 games vrs WA
That shake up came just a few hours after that match that night at about 11-30 ...

[SDK]

Yes a marvelous coaching contribution from our ex coach who instructed the players not to kick to a player who had kicked 6 to half time. The worse 4 years in our club's history led by a headless chook.....no North Adelaide pun intended.
Norwood always lift against Port and Centrals and Norwood is one of the few teams not intimidated by Centrals.

Should be a tough clash the way both teams are tackling right now. Good old fashioned football ....just keep Richard Williams away from this game please !.......and instruct the umpires to let it go ...put the whistle away this is a game for men.

[whufc]

Yes a marvelous coaching contribution from our ex coach who instructed the players not to kick to a player who had kicked 6 to half time. The worse 4 years in our club's history led by a headless chook.....no North Adelaide pun intended.
Norwood always lift against Port and Centrals and Norwood is one of the few teams not intimidated by Centrals.

Should be a tough clash the way both teams are tackling right now. Good old fashioned football ....just keep Richard Williams away from this game please !.......and instruct the umpires to let it go ...put the whistle away this is a game for men.

great post totally agree,

i remember as well there was a few years 2002-2005ish where every game had a few stouches as well. I think a few blokes from each team genuinly dislike each other.

[topsywaldron]

I think a few blokes from each team genuinly dislike each other.

As opposed to the love-in bewteen the two sets of supporters of course.

[Dogwatcher]

Get your nose out of your latte to post that did we?

[topsywaldron]

Get your nose out of your latte to post that did we?

No. Had to hand my caviar spoon to the help though.

[Dogwatcher]

Don't let 'em put it behind their back...

[blackcat]

Any of you legs supporters recommend a place for a good feed and a cold beer before the game?

[Big Phil]

Any of you legs supporters recommend a place for a good feed and a cold beer before the game?

I live just off the Parade and can suggest any of the cafes on the Parade itself, depending on what you feel like though...

Fin McCools is pretty close to the ground and does great food and is always a good atmosphere pre-game at Coopers...