Rusty Roosters Wear Down Legs
After yet another extended period away from home, North Adelaide finally got to run on to the hallowed and lonely turf of Prospect Oval on Sunday. Our opponents were Norwood. George Thring came in for his Roosters Debut. There were a few other changes, including the long awaited return of Brett "Budgie" O'Hara.
In the first quarter we were on the board first. Archard put a nice pass on to Younie at Half-Forward. His set shot was made easier by receiving a 25. Norwood replied swiftly, taking advantage of an errant handball in defence by Davis. North replied to that reply minutes later when Sporn launched an attractive sortie. Stribling and Allan were also involved in moving it to the square Damon White took a strong grab and went Bang. Norwood then missed when two opportunities to keep it tight. They rued these misses when Archard began a lovely move from Half-back. It ended with Schwarze who marked and goaled. At the first huddle North led 3-3-21 to 1-5-11.
In the 2nd stanza, McIntyre took a strong mark at Half-back to thwart Norwood's initial attack. This paid dividends minutes later. Archard and Ryswyk were involved in getting it forward. Younie took possession and was pushed. BANG! SAUSAGE ROLL! From a stoppage at Half-forward, Norwood gave away another undisciplined free to hand Alleway his first. Allers said, "Thankyou very much!" Opportunities to go further ahead went begging. Then Norwood got one against the run of play to stay in touch. Impressive work in defence was the catalyst for our next foray it ended with Ryswyk. Leroy found the returning Pfeiffer. He marked and converted. Midway through the stanza Redleg undiscipline came to the fore again, Budgie received a free out of a stoppage 20 metres out and booted his first for '09. a few more missed chances and further solid defensive work saw out the stanza. Scores at half-time, 7-4-46 to 2-6-18.
Norwood came out to start the third quarter "with all guns blazing"! After Schwarze opened the 2nd half scoring with a point, Norwood banged on 2 goals to reduce our lead to 17 points. It should've been 3 on the trot but Walker hit the post from 30 out. Moments later Norwood were streaming forward again. On the wing Thompson brilliantly ran down his opponent and stopped him "dead in his tracks". BAAALLL! This swung the momentum back to us and sure enough Ackland marked and goaled in front. Minutes later Thompson was involved in the build up to that too! Moments later another young gun starred Cohen Thiele received at half-forward. He ran on to kick a magic goal from an angle 35 out. Norwood's Walker scored from point blank late in the term (if he missed that one he'd surely have been banished back to Broken Hill!). Lemon-Time scores, 9-8-62 to 5-7-37.
In the final term we began well and were looking to bury The Legs. The promising build ups were either not converted or broke down across half-forward though. Thankfully during this period the McIntyre-Cunningham led defence was a "NO GO ZONE". A promising build-up finally came to fruition when Pfeiffer and Schwarze combined to find O'Hara at Full-Forward. Big Budgie went Bang. Moments later, young guns Thiele and Sloane combined to pinpoint a free Alleway. Allers drilled his 2nd. With the door firmly shut in Norwood's face we got 2 more Sausage Rolls (unfortunately there was no sauce left), Wright scoring one and figuring in the last to Schwarze. Leroy Ryswyk tried a "party trick" to cap off a great day for him! It didn't eventuate but none the less, the job was done. The Final Scores, North Adelaide 13-11-89 to Norwood 5-10-40.
K.Chaplain-Match Reporter
P.S. - Thanks to the club and council for paving the surface around the Willcox Ave. entrance. My strong advice to all wheelchair users, go around the speed hump or you could find yourself "kissing the tarmac" like Pope John Paul II.
Pictured above is our intrepid home match reporter, Kym Chaplain