E.Burwood, like most EFL sides, pride themselves on their ability to win at home, so they would have run out onto their home ground on Saturday pretty confident of a win against Norwood, particularly if news had filtered through that our star ruckman Jonathon ‘Monky’ Wynn was a late withdrawal, and key forward Matt McCormack was also missing.
Norwood pushed “The Wild Man of Borneo” Dean Clayton, into the unfamiliar role of ruck, and as luck would have it, a clash with ex-AFL premiership ruckman Robbie Campbell. Happily, Clayton was to play a great role, jumping repeatedly into Campbell and limiting his influence from clearances to almost zero, as Norwood dominated early. Goals to Kroozer(2)and Brenter got the Wooders going, and another from Curtis Dunne late on helped establish a handy qtr time lead 4.5 – 3.1.
In the 2nd qtr, E.Burwood’s rucking twin towers began to get their hand on the ball more, but almost always it was a Norwood small in an under to take first possession. Kris Nye, John Holmes, Dave Blackie, Paul Maskaant, Fordy and Clayts all played a part in dominating the centre clearances, and E.Burwood could not score On the few occasions they got it forward, their forwards missed set shots. Meanwhile, Skayve Johnson was having a day out at half-forward, our lone tall forward but it seemed not to matter as he marked everything. He goalled from a couple of those marks, and as Brenter floated across half forward and let fly from 50 the Norwood faithful were up as soon as it left his boot. By half time we held a handy lead of 22pts, 6.7 – 3.3.
We had set up the game in the 1st half, but no-one could have predicted the 3rd quarter onslaught. It was Norwood here, there and everywhere as goals came at will. Skayve and Brenter continued on their merry ways kicking a couple each, Kroozer added another, as did Blackie, Gilling,Jesse Newman, and all of a sudden the lead was out beyond 70pts. We had held E.Burwood goalless for half a game in perfect footy conditions, added 9.2 for the 3rd quarter ourselves, and led by miles at the last change... 15.9 – 3.8
The last quarter was a formality, but still we piled on the pressure as goals to Brenter, Skayve, Gilling and Jurey continued the pain. At the 15 minute mark E Burwood finally marked and converted their first goal in over 75 minutes of footy, to the most ironic of Bronx cheers from their own supporters, such had been the demolition job we had inflicted upon them. At the final siren the Norwood faithful could scarecely believe their eyes as the scoreboard read: 20.10.130 - 5-12.42
Norwood had the ultimate best players list of “TEAM EFFORT”, but to individualise, the 5 goal performances of Brenter and Skayve deserve special mention, as do the tireless on-ball efforts of Holmes, Blackie, Nye and Clayts. The backmen all played well too, simply the ball didn’t get down there enough for them to rate much of a mention, however when it did Edgy, Stuey Hill, Zac Carroll and Ev Johnson did what they had to in order to repel the opposition.
This win has significant effect upon the EFL 1st division landscape. Norwood leaps into 2nd spot with a very healthy 5-2 record and percentage of 129. We find ourselves in the final 5 by a game and heathy percentage too. Only Balwyn heads us. E.Burwood drop to 5th and Scoresby –last years Grand Finalists, drop out to 6th.
We go for a very well earned rest now over the long-weekend “bye”, before hosting winless Croydon in the next round in a game where we if we play to our potential, we can win and win well. The 2nds and Colts also recorded wins for another welcome “Clean Sweep”.
Go Wooders
Last Modified on 13/09/2012 11:05