First Division - Eastern Football League

THE EASTERN FOOTBALLER
13
NORWOOD SET SIGHTS ON SECOND SPOT
Norwood came away from Knox Gardens Reserve smelling
of roses as the home team’s finals hopes nosedived. The
Norsemen set up their 42-point win with a 7 goal to 1 second
quarter onslaught. Third placed Norwood 19-7-121 beat Knox
12-7-79. That leaves Knox two games out of the second
division top four. GAVIN CASEY reports.
In a tight competition this game was a test of the finals
capabilities of both sides and the Falcons got off to a flying
start opening a three-goal lead half way through the first term.
The catalyst for Norwood’s surge was onballer Michael
Stewart. In the first half Stewart
dominated proceedings out of the middle
as Norwood overcame a hesitant
beginning. His teammates would have to
been inspired by his precision skills when
he hit Attard on a lead with a bullet pass
and followed up to take possession from
outside the 50 metre arc and drive home
a thumping kick to narrow the gap before
the first break.
Illustrating the fact that Knox lacked any
matchwinners - their best contributor on
the day was well matched by his direct
opponent. Stuart Wynd was at his
finishing best with three first quarter
goals as he outmarked Matthew Stewart
twice and beat him on the lead for his
third major. But Matthew Stewart held
his own from then on only allowing the
Photo: Garry Sparke
Falcon spearhead one more goal for the game.
Norwood had the more potent forward structure with Andrew
Jennings (4 goals) and Aaron Brockley (3 goals) as strong
marking options. The talls combined to stretch the Knox
defence; their versatility was shown in the second term when
Brockley tapped over the back from a throw in to the agile
roving of Jennings who snapped truly.
The dynamic Ryan Walkenhorst (4 goals) complemented
Michael Stewart as Norwood dominated from stoppages at
the hand of ruckman Luke Higgins in the decisive second
stanza. Walkenhorst capitalised on some
loosing checking to seal two majors in an
eight goal run that effectively finished
the contest.
To their credit Scott Hunter’s Knox
fought out the game with notable efforts
by Dean Langford and Jeromie Smith.
However the influence of Michael
Stewart and Walkenhorst went
unchecked as Norwood recorded their
second win over the Falcons this season.
With Montrose having a slender hold
onto second by percentage only,
Norwood’s derby with North Ringwood
this round takes on greater importance
than normal. Not only is pride on the line
but higher honours can yet be achieved
by this year’s biggest improver.