Booney wrote:Congratulations to Norwood, were too good on the day and in the finals series.
McGuinness and Bode were excellent across half back, although Port played into their hands for much of the second half with long kicks to 2 on three or 3 on four or in some instances one on four contests.
Baulderstone the best of the big men, he and Dawe beat Harvey comfortably, but Harvey could hold his head high, he battled his guts out all day.
Lewi Stevenson, Krakouer and the skipper Summerton did what they could to keep Port in it, but too many Port players had too little influence on the outcome.
Clearly the best man on the ground was Matt Panos, his clearance work around the middle of the ground during the first half set the game up for Norwood and in the final quarter he got some very important touches when it mattered most. Deserving medal winner.
So, 38,000 to the game and it seems many doomsdayers were also in attendance, good on you for all showing up. From what I saw on the road back from Melbourne on Sunday many Port people did as I did, got away early and back for the match at Adelaide Oval. ( Well, got there just before 1/4 time anyway ) Plenty on people were still getting tickets at or on 1/4 time.
In the end 2014 was a battle of the best defence against the best attack and as many astute judges say, premierships are built from the back half. Norwood also showed that process and structure are more important than personnel. People come and go, but if a sound structure and belief among the playing group that the structure will work exists, success will come.
Norwoods biggest test, however, comes with the loss of McGuinness. He's been the premier elder statesman in the back half for years in the SANFL, the 'Legs will struggle to replace him.
Well done to all that jumped on the bandwagon yesterday, it was certainly full to the brim!!
Congratulations Norwood. Back to back to back is a great feeling, I've been lucky enough to witness it twice in my lifetime.
Sporting post mate. McGuiness will be a massive out that's for sure. He 'sounded' impassable in that last quarter. You are right about process though, I believe that Centrals and Port before us did the same thing. I believe Centrals and Port's was the 'Fos' model of hard down the guts, power at the body, power at the ball, the Norwood 'Bassett' model of course is all about making it bloody hard to score. Seems to work well in the SANFL but that system can be broken down by teams with exceptional talent (Geelong, Hawthorn) so it doesn't appear to be as effective in the AFL.
regards,
REB
