Can West win the Flag?

[goraw]

the seasons over. nathan has the cup now

[garygroundwork]

they have beaten centrals and norwood in consecutive weeks....

the plot thickens.

[Brodlach]

Why the past two wins have been good, both Norwood and Central have had plenty of "outs". Need to continue to improve to have a chance. No point getting ahead of ourselves.

[leggies]

Why the past two wins have been good, both Norwood and Central have had plenty of "outs". Need to continue to improve to have a chance. No point getting ahead of ourselves.

Well said. In all seriousness, you played well, we didn't. However, we fielded essentially half a reserves side yesterday. Assuming no more injuries, Norwood should have Jericho, Cachia, Suckling, Brown, Clarke, Pfeiffer, Rodan and potentially Jonas, Hughes, Donohue to add to the mix. I hate losing and based on this year, expect to win each week. However, I am not losing any sleep over yesterdays 'trial' game. No disrespect to Westies, you deserved the win.

[JK]

It's interesting to look at all of the question marks over the clubs in contention.

From a Norwood POV, the question marks will remain over our ability to play on the bigger ground, our ability to score and our ability to play near our best when it matters most .. Westies, North and whomever fills 5th will have that same last cloud hanging over them I guess.

The Dogs will too, but they haven proven often enough their capability of doing that.

Should be a fascinating finals series .. I wouldn't look forward to playing West because I can't recall us beating them in a final since about 1981!!

[Mark_Beswick]

MOst of those players played in the last game at richmond

[CENTURION]

FOOTBALL PARK = YOOOOOOOOO 'DOGS!!!!!!!!!

[garygroundwork]

Norwood at full strength should win the GF. But this is Norwood we are talking about...

[gossipgirl]

West vs Norwood Grandfinal could attract a decent crowd

[Brodlach]

West vs Norwood Grandfinal could attract a decent crowd

Not sure about that. We have onky 500 supporters hey SDK

[Big Phil]

West vs Norwood Grandfinal could attract a decent crowd

Interesting comments in Monday Morning Centrman about their game on the weekend and a possible Norwood v West Grand Final...

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl ... 6453590910

BLOODS v LEGS BREAKDOWN

I'm certainly not writing Central District off but there's a strong possibility this year's Grand Final will be between Norwood and West.

With that in mind I ventured to Richmond on Saturday looking to learn about how these sides match up against each other and the tactics they employ.

While Norwood's absentees have to be taken into consideration (Luke Jericho, Mat Suckling, Angus Clarke, Jaryd Cachia and potentially Josh Donohue, Darren Pfeiffer, David Rodan and Tom Jonas could be in Norwood's finals side) there was still a lot to learn from the game.

Here's seven thoughts:

1. We could have a pretty boring Grand Final

Norwood v West matches don't produce a lot of highlights.

Until the game opened up a bit for the Bloods in the final term it was a typically dull contest on Saturday.

Only Simon Phillips - who took a big grab to set up his first goal and then nearly took another before finishing on the ground for his second - produced moments that were worth watching again.

While the league won't be too distraught if these sides play in the big one (Norwood has a large following and West hasn't been in a Grand Final since 2003) we're certainly not going to get a game as enjoyable to watch as last year's decider between Central and the Eagles. It's because...


2. Both sides remain ultra-defensive

On Saturday Dean Terlich and Jono Beech lined up loose in defence for their respective teams.

They played it slightly differently, with Terlich predominantly positioning himself alongside or behind the last defender and Beech venturing a little further up the ground.

The tactic suited Norwood in the first half as Terlich dominated the game. He took six uncontested marks and used the ball really well through the corridor.

He helped the Redlegs lock the ball in their attacking half, limiting the impact of Beech who was forced to fight for his possessions in a huge scrum of players.

West coach Andrew Collins reacted by getting Aaron Fielke (who was being picked up by Jace Bode) to stand as close to Terlich as possible.

He was able to worry Terlich out of several contests and also impacted the scoreboard with four goals.

It helped turn the match.

Collins will need to adopt this ploy from the opening bounce when these sides meet next and may want to use another player in Beech's role - who is better suited in the attacking half.

Scott Bricknell - who resumed from suspension in the reserves on Saturday - is one option.


3. Centre clearances are crucial

Because of the numbers both sides play behind the ball the centre clearances are of huge importance.

The Redlegs led this category 6-2 in the first half (Tim Webber had three) and it allowed them to lock the ball inside their attacking half.

Unable to rebound, the Bloods tallied just 11 inside 50s for the half - an amazingly low tally.

But it turned after half time as Fort Caruso begin to have an influence at the bounce.

The Bloods won the centre clearances 5-3 and put enough pressure on Norwood's backline to kick a winning score.


4. Norwood's backline looked vulnerable

While the Redlegs had a host of players out, not many of them are defenders.

It's important because for the first time in a long while Norwood's defence looked a bit shaky at times on Saturday.

Alex Georgiou shut down Brad Fisher and Andrew Kirwan provided great rebound, but Jace Bode was panicky, Terlich turned the ball over and was outmuscled in one on one contests and Michael Chippendale wasn't up to the standard.

And while they didn't do it very often, both Ryan Willits and Peter Nelson took crucial marks in the forward half where they simply outsized their opponents.

You'd expect Bode and Terlich to be better next time but Norwood coach Nathan Bassett needs to replace Chippendale.

Alex Stopp could shift from his back-up ruck role to centre half back. Will Dalwood would be handy.


4. The Bloods are a physical match for the Legs

Bassett conceded his side had lost the physical stakes after the game.

Having hardmen Suckling and Cachia back will certainly even things up, but West was the stronger and more powerful team on Saturday.

Taite Silverlock had no trouble shaking off Mitch Grigg's attempted tackles and Ryan Willits and Peter Nelson dominated at ball ups.


5. Norwood's scoring power still questionable

Another point that comes with a disclaimer because it's unfair to assess Norwood's forward line when Jericho is on the sidelines.

But until they do it in September, the Redlegs ability to kick a winning score in finals-type pressure will continue to be questioned.

Of the seven goals they kicked on Saturday three came directly from free kicks, two from moments of individual brilliance from Phillips, one from a poor Ryan Ferguson turnover and the other because Alex Stopp surprised everyone at a half forward stoppage by winning the hit out.

Norwood didn't create a lot of scoring opportunities through typical avenues. The return of Jericho and Donohue will help with Mark Evans likely to be squeezed out.

``Our forward line lacked a bit of Luke's quality today,'' Bassett said. ``I think he makes a big difference to our forward line.''


6. Redlegs wasteful in attack

What Norwood can't afford to do come finals time is continue to waste goal scoring opportunities.

Bassett felt his side should have been up by four or five goals at half time (instead of leading by 11 points) but he wasn't because some players - Grigg and James Gallagher were the chief culprits - fluffed shots at goal.

It's the third time in their past four games the Redlegs have converted poorly and it finally cost them a game.

``I think it's important we get better at that,'' Bassett said. ``You've got to make the most of your opportunities and in the last three or four weeks we haven't been doing that.''


7. West has to improve its discipline

The Bloods almost cost themselves another game with an ill-disciplined approach to the body.

Norwood was hitting in faster and lower in the first quarter and West took too long to adapt, trailing the free kick count 10-2.

``We were really disappointed with our lack of discipline early in the game,'' Collins said. ``Sometimes that's over-arousal, the players wanting to do really well. It's very difficult to settle them down.''

Because the ball was in Norwood's front half for 80 per cent of the quarter a lot of the free kicks resulted in Norwood shots on goal.

West has to tidy this up because no one wants a Grand Final decided by the umpires.

[JK]

West vs Norwood Grandfinal could attract a decent crowd

Not sure about that. We have onky 500 supporters hey SDK

Im sure that wouldn't worry you, especially when you're already claiming Westies will win the flag, hey BRODLACH

[Brodlach]

West vs Norwood Grandfinal could attract a decent crowd

Not sure about that. We have onky 500 supporters hey SDK

Im sure that wouldn't worry you, especially when you're already claiming Westies will win the flag, hey BRODLACH

Not claiming the flag, just if we win it. Bit of a difference in what was written JK

[JK]

West vs Norwood Grandfinal could attract a decent crowd

Not sure about that. We have onky 500 supporters hey SDK

Im sure that wouldn't worry you, especially when you're already claiming Westies will win the flag, hey BRODLACH

Not claiming the flag, just if we win it. Bit of a difference in what was written JK

Ahh the "Edit" function .. Where would we be without it?

[Brodlach]

West vs Norwood Grandfinal could attract a decent crowd

Not sure about that. We have onky 500 supporters hey SDK

Im sure that wouldn't worry you, especially when you're already claiming Westies will win the flag, hey BRODLACH

Not claiming the flag, just if we win it. Bit of a difference in what was written JK

Ahh the "Edit" function .. Where would we be without it? [/quote]


Your correct, but I chose the wrong word to begin with.
Personally I dont think we will win it this year.

Ahhh, the old "delete" button JK, where would we be without it

[Dog_ger]

West vs Norwood Grandfinal could attract a decent crowd

What about a West v Centrals GrandFinal....

[leggies]

How about Port get in the five and the SANFL returns to how it should be with a Norwood vs Port GF and a repeat of 1997?

[andyw]

How about Port get in the five and the SANFL returns to how it should be with a Norwood vs Port GF and a repeat of 1997?

Absolutely. Been waiting for the warfies to make the granny and play the dogs and get 46000 like in '96.
The dogs will bring their 20 to 25000.