Rd 1 2008 Norwood v Sturt @ Norwood Fri Night 28th

[godoubleblues]

Went for a wander down the road to have a look at our opponent next week...

Sturt were on fire early, but Norwood kicked a couple of late ones before quarter time to still be in touch.

It was pretty much all one way traffic after that...

The Big Serg was pretty impressive across half forward but still needs to work on his goal kicking but probably ended up with 5 or 6.
Until copping a heavy knock late, Adam Thomson was impressive in and under, Jade Sheedy had plenty of it and used it well, Ben Nelson was good across half back and I was impressed with Craig Evans. Does anyone know where he is from ? Interstate or through the juniors ?

Luke Crane showed silky skills and a turn of pace and young Charlie Staples did a couple of nice things. Good to see the skinny white ghost (Daniel Wicks) back in the SANFL as well, I though he was servicable. Scott McGlone played a really good sweeping game across half back in his official first game for the Double Blues. I'm not sure how many Chambo ended up with but I thought Brett Zorzi did a pretty good job on him for most of the night, hassling and niggling away. You could see Chambo was a bit frustrated at times, bur Perrie stepped in and dominated.

Apart from Zorzi, I didn't think there were too many consistant 4 quarter efforts for the Redlegs. James Gallagher got a bit of it, as too did Scott Borlace but the story of the night for the Redlegs was poor skill execution and not much on offer up forward. Ed McDonnell had a purple patch in the first quarter but faded out. Big Stephen Doyle looked very much under done and spent a bit of time up forward with not much effect. Think he is still struggling with a knee, hobbled off mid way throught the last quarter. Matthew Dawes battled hard down back but didn't have too many partners in crime.

The Double Blues, despite a few patchy moments of skill error, looked impressive. We haven't even played Port yet but I'm looking forward to Unley next week already. If it's anything like last years game, should be a ripper...

I also saw most of the reserves and one young Norwood player was really really impressive. Crows Broken Hill / NSW Scholarship pick Taylor Walker looked really potent across half forward. Took some impressive grabs, works really hard and ended up kicking 5 or 6 as well I think ?
Does look a little slim but I'm sure the Crows are aware of that and he will bulk up no doubt. Should have played League tonight ? Would have to be make his way into Norwoods 1st team next week, surely.

Just on the reserves game, it was a ripper. Sturt had a fairly comfy lead for most of the night but Norwood just pegged away and persisted to get up over the line by a couple of points. No thanks to a thrilling finish though. Sturt youngster Seb Paynter (I think) was awarded a free kick after the final siren and had the chance that most footballers dream of. To kick the winning goal after the siren. It was from in the pocket under the scoreboard and he was copping a spray from every Norwwod player in the vacinity. It worked, the kick faded off late for a point and there ended up being a "mele" after the final siren.

Anyway, can't wait for tomorrow night, look forward to seeing the Doggies dominate the Maggies ( I hope ?!!!)

GO U DOGGIES...

Big Phil...

good wrap Phil
Perrie finished with 6, Chambo 1 along with 7 other players getting singles, including a super shot from Gummy in the last 1/4 and a soccered goal to Wicksy also in the last
young Evans came up through the Sturt juniors, I am sure he was in the U17's GF a few years back, he might be from the hills somewhere, someone else might know
and I had Thommo as my best player, his desperation to get the ball was outstanding

[JK]

Phil and Purch you're both spot on the money IMHO ... Reckon the Blues will have a few victories better than that this year, sad part is, we have them another two times so it's likely to involve our necks!!

Sturt just looked so much more professional and better structured than Norwood and it's hard at the moment to know what the mix of each teams contribution was to that.

How Norwood selected Stephen Doyle is beyond ... Clearly not right from the get go, the powers that be got it dreadfully dreadfully wrong on that front.

Perrie, Crane, Feast will fight out the MM votes, but Sturt didn't really appear to have a passenger last night.

[GWW]

Is Hill signed as coach til the end of next year CP?

[NFC]

good wrap Phil
Perrie finished with 6, Chambo 1 along with 7 other players getting singles, including a super shot from Gummy in the last 1/4 and a soccered goal to Wicksy also in the last
young Evans came up through the Sturt juniors, I am sure he was in the U17's GF a few years back, he might be from the hills somewhere, someone else might know
and I had Thommo as my best player, his desperation to get the ball was outstanding

Thomson BOG for mine too.

[Big Phil]

good wrap Phil
Perrie finished with 6, Chambo 1 along with 7 other players getting singles, including a super shot from Gummy in the last 1/4 and a soccered goal to Wicksy also in the last
young Evans came up through the Sturt juniors, I am sure he was in the U17's GF a few years back, he might be from the hills somewhere, someone else might know
and I had Thommo as my best player, his desperation to get the ball was outstanding

Thomson BOG for mine too.

Here Here Gentleman (Thomson BOG that is, not my good wrap !!)

I think he has realised in the pre season that this probably the most important year of his AFL life to date. He has been on the Power's list for a few years now but never consistantly gets a game. Clearly he has realised that it is totally on him to not just be consistant at SANFL level, but to dominate. This then forces the Power selectors to pick him. Just hope they don't waste it buy taking him away as the "travelling emergency" and depriving him of game time with Sturt. I'm sure Double Blues supporters would agree with me.

Thompson best, with Perrie a close second. Clever coaching by Rick to rest his "older" legs late in the game. Might have been Ian's decision in part as well, I think this was only his second hit out for the year.

Gotto go to be bed now, big day of footy ahead tomorrow...

GO U DOGGIES...

Big Phil...

[GWW]

For those at the game, what was Thomson's kicking like? Its the one area thats let him down in the past, and if hes improved it, it will greatly enhance his chances of being selected for AFL duty.

[NFC]

For those at the game, what was Thomson's kicking like? Its the one area thats let him down in the past, and if hes improved it, it will greatly enhance his chances of being selected for AFL duty.

Kicking was good but who cares about your kicking when your skills by hand are so darn good!

[Big Phil]

For those at the game, what was Thomson's kicking like? Its the one area thats let him down in the past, and if hes improved it, it will greatly enhance his chances of being selected for AFL duty.

Yeah his kicking looks as though it has improved. I remember a couple of pin point passes, obviously he has worked on it in the summer with Port.

Off to bed now, I promise... Goodnight all

Big Phil...

[shanghaied]

Here's the Advertiser report. Surprised it's up so quickly. In fact surprised it's up at all, and it includes the reserves scores.

Most surprising - Adam Thomson doesn't even get a mention. Warren Partland must have different standards.

Perrie helps Blues nail win

FORMER Adelaide and North Adelaide forward Ian Perrie made a superb debut for Sturt to lead the club to victory over Norwood at The Parade last night.
In a highly-impressive performance, Perrie bagged six goals and created havoc as the Double Blues kick-started their attack on the premiership race with a 60-point triumph.

The Redlegs, hit hard with the loss of Kris Massie, Luke Jericho and Bryce Campbell to Adelaide, failed to register a goal after the 12-minute mark of the second term.

Sturt carried its impressive form from the trials into the clash, opening at a furious pace to nail three goals in the first five minutes.

Perrie claimed the opening mark and kicked the first goal to have an immediate impact for Sturt. The action was far from satisfying for Norwood fans as Sturt ran unchecked.

The vast gap between the sides' attitude was evident after 11 minutes when Doubles Blues full forward Brant Chambers showed far more desperation for a disputed possession. He handballed to Luke Crane, who punched the ball forward to Perrie, standing alone just 20m from goal. Such was the Sturt dominance Perrie had two mates also roaming unattended deep in attack. Perrie kicked truly for his second and Sturt's fourth and it looked a case of how far the Doubles Blues.

However, the visitors did not kick another goal until 11 minutes into the second quarter with Norwood showing tremendous character to fight back into the contest. James Gallagher and Jesse Aish picked up plenty of touches but it was the lift in intensity with a more desperate attack on the body and ball which enabled the Redlegs to cut the margin to five points at quarter-time.

Brett Zorzi was doing a solid job quelling a rusty Chambers while Ed McDonnell marked strongly to provide an avenue to goal.

Despite owning more of the ball in the second term, the Double Blues struggled to break free of a gallant opponent until late in the quarter. Perrie worked tirelessly for his new club and he capped his work with four goals from his first four attempts.

Greg Bentley also got busy for Sturt as it crept three goals clear to grab the ascendancy on half-time.

The Double Blues maintained momentum in the third quarter to break the game apart with pace, skill and a desire to share the workload.

Superior numbers at the contest and far slicker ball movement, aided by a willingness to work hard to support team-mates, enabled Sturt to take command.

RESERVES LAST NIGHT

NORWOOD 4.0 6.1 8.4 12.10 (82)
STURT 3.3 9.4 12.4 12.7 (79)

BEST – Norwood: Schulz, Brunoli, Walker, Bartemucci, DeVries. Sturt: Bratton, Kay, Eckermann, Borholm, Hurley, Martin. SCORERS – Norwood: Walker 5, Bartemucci 3, deJongh, Speight, Donohue, Douglas. Sturt: Fitzgerald 4, McDonald 2, Eckermann, Coad, Paynter, Thring, Johncock, Bartlett.

The new guernseys look pretty good too.

[callop]

Just got back to the country after a night out at the Parade. As a sturt supporter, it was a great night, plenty to look forward to this year for the blues. The Legs unfortunately look like they might battle it out with South for the spoon on that effort. I mean seriously most country clubs would have yellow ball to warm up with pre-game when your playing a night match. Not the Redlegs.... As for their members turning up, the stand on the western side was lucky to be a 1/4 full. Come on Legs get your stuff together or soon you will be running around in a country league somewhere!!!

[NFC]

Just got back to the country after a night out at the Parade. As a sturt supporter, it was a great night, plenty to look forward to this year for the blues. The Legs unfortunately look like they might battle it out with South for the spoon on that effort. I mean seriously most country clubs would have yellow ball to warm up with pre-game when your playing a night match. Not the Redlegs.... As for their members turning up, the stand on the western side was lucky to be a 1/4 full. Come on Legs get your stuff together or soon you will be running around in a country league somewhere!!!

I'm a member but don't sit in the members stand.

[Banker]

Great work Big Phil, better than the tiser writeup

young Evans came up through the Sturt juniors, I am sure he was in the U17's GF a few years back, he might be from the hills somewhere, someone else might know

Yep he's from Bridgewater and Nick Wark is from Blackwood/Ironbank

[CUTTERMAN]

Top wrap up Big Phil, Wark has amazed me for a while now, he had a great 07 and seems to continue the form in 08. I thought while it was a great team effort we were down on our skills for long periods of the game, which will be exposed against better teams. Overall we've got a great team balance this year and the youngsters that played last season will be able to last out to the end of the season better this year....if that makes any sense?
I was disappointed in the crowd, thought it deserved 8000 plus, with norwood's recruiting over summer and a bit of hope at the parade, still 6700 isn't too bad.

[Dog_ger]

Round 1 Friday night 2008.

The Blues are back in town.

Don't underestimate the coach.!

Or the ghosts that frequent the coaches box.....

Well done Blues...!

[sturtpeter]

Outstanding review, mate.

I was impressed with our composure when Norwood threatened to take the game right up to us in the 2nd. Quarter.

Champagne performance by a Quality Footy team.

Why did North not select Perrie in the Major Round last year?

[fester69]

Sturtpeter, after your team has won why do you sit at the Norwood Presentations in a Norwood Member's hat? Aren't you welcome at Unley?

[therisingblues]

Great wrap up Phil. It is excellent to read something from a neutral observer, especially as detailed as yours. The Advertiser report covered a few different aspects of the game, so it was good to read that too. Living overseas you really appreciate the descriptions you get of the footy over the net.
Great win, and I've felt it to be appropriate to strut a bit this morning such is my elation!
Looking forward to Centrals next week, and I hope we can maintain this intensity, and even improve on it throughout this year.
GO YOU BLUES!!!

[Adelaide Hawk]

Come on Legs get your stuff together or soon you will be running around in a country league somewhere!!!

I think if Sturt can still be around after winning 8 wooden spoons in a row from 1989 to 1996, Norwood don't have to worry too much about playing in a country league somewhere.

[MST]

Felt compelled to post something after the inevitable "Blues will make the GF", "Are Sturt the real deal" and "Sturt will be found out against better quality opposition" lines and topics.

From where I sit, my Double Blues have the potential to be a premiership threat, of that I have no doubt BUT it's round one out of twenty three and there is a lot of water to go under the bridge. By no means was that a 10/10 Sturt performance and I can see a lot of improvement to come. By the same token Norwood have a lot of improvement to come also and some significant quality to come into that side, Trotter, Massie & Jericho. That being said, I see Norwood remaining in the 5-7 bracket and depending how much they see of their AFL listed contingent, will be hard pressed to squeeze into the major round.

Congratulations to big 'Sarge' on a terrific debut in the Sturt jumper. Opposition backs are certainly going to have their work cut out controlling the Sturt forward line because of the numerous threats down there.

All in all, a very solid start by the Blues and to keep the opposition to 1.9 in nearly three quarters of footy, particularly in the opening round AND away from home, augurs very well for an exciting 2008.

[topsywaldron]

By the same token Norwood have a lot of improvement to come also and some significant quality to come into that side, Trotter, Massie & Jericho.

Bryce Campbell is more significant than any of those names. IMHO of course.