Roosters Have Too mUch Leg For Legs
Our Mighty Roosters travelled to The Parade to take on Norwood on Friday night. We covered a few injuries with an injection of youth, Speedy youth!
Coach Healy started debutate, Nathan Brown in the pocket which would've given him great confidence. There were 3 stalemates in the centre square to begin proceedings. We attacked first. Youngster Brown got a touch. The foray was unsuccessful. Norwood worked it down their end to bring up the opener. Minutes later , young Brown was involved again , along with Allan to send Armstrong away for our first Sausage Roll. Some solid work in ruck by Ackland got us going again. Allan and Archard showed their class in combination to register our second. We then failed to convert 2 chances that Norwood capitalised on with goals to take the lead. The Roosters took it back. Our youth brigade, Stribling, Thompson, Pfeiffer and Armstrong all had a hand in sending away (by Express Post!) Leroy Ryswyk for a goal. At the first huddle we led , 3-4-22 to 3-2-20.
In the 2nd stanza North began well. Some solid defence led to a nice move involving The Double A's ( Allan and Archard). It ended with single L( Ryswyk). He ran across half forward and banged it through. Moments later Motlop , Pfeiffer and Allan combined to find Schwarze on the lead. He went Bang. Norwood kept in touch with a super quick reply. After a few missed opportunities, a beautiful combination involving Allan and Wright saw Stribling have a shot. It bounced in the square, took a "Shane Warne googly" and went through. Norwood captain Gallagher then marked and goaled. The Rooster faithful dished out some free advice to Gallagher. Upon scoring " he flipped the bird". Moments later, some lightning work out of a stoppage on the wing saw Allan run on to goal. We then converted our 5th for the stanza with assistance from Kris Massie, who foolishly gave away 25. He turned Brown's difficult boundary line shot into a point blank shot for goal. His first in league company. After some good defence, McIntyre most notably,Gallagher had another shot. He missed with this one. In the outer many "birds were flipped" by The Rooster faithful (among other things!) At Half-time North Adelaide led 8-6-54 to 5-3-33.
In The Premiership Quarter, North started the better and went 28 points clear when Thompson marked and goaled. He took full advantage of a crisp build up involving Archard , Alleway ( The 3rd A!) and Armstrong (The 4thA!). More stoic defence by McIntyre and Co. couldn't prevent a Redleg Rally as they banged on 3 unanswered goals. The Redlegs were asking the question like Harry Callahan - " DO YOU FEEL LUCKY" ? The Roosters answered in the affirmative kicking the last 2 goals of the quarter, one each to Stewart and Motlop. Both goals built from slick and quick forays. Norwood missed a sitter late in time-on. After a mid-term challenge we won the quarter by 2 points. Lemon-Time scores, 11-9-75 to 8-5-53.
In the last term Norwood goaled first. The contest was far from over. After Schwarze missed a quick reply , he converted a 2nd chance. Allan was involved in the foundation of both (of course!). Minutes later, that man again Allan was at the base of another mesmerising attack. It ended with Alleway. He booted it to the square. "Road Runner" Thompson took it off hands and Sausage Rolled. COME ON!
Some solid defence wasn't enough to prevent a Norwood goal. Midway through the term The Roosters put on another blinding run from defence. Davis got it to Wright. He found Schwarze. Schwarze dished it off to Motlop, who skipped across half-forward to boot a decisive goal. More good work in defence , highlighted by Skipper White and Archard stifled Norwood. They then got one , but by then THE FAT LADY in the red dress was doing her vocal exercises! We then buried Norwood (Legs first!) with a further 2 goals, one to Leroy, his 3rd and one to Stewart his 2nd. Archard and Allan figuring in both again to complete another "DOUBLE A GAME" for Our Mighty Roosters. Final scores North Adelaide-16-12-108 Norwood-11-7-73.
K.R.Chaplain