Norwood hosted winless Croydon in Rd 8 of EFL action at Mullum Reserve. Excellent 1st and 3rd quarters set up the win, while a poor 2nd quarter and downright ugly last quarter took the gloss off what ended up being just 'another day at the office' for the Norwood boys.
After a well earned break last week, the Norsemen ran out onto Mullum Reserve to face winless Croydon, minus their best player, Damian Cupido, who had transferred to Mt Evelyn. Perhaps this knowledge brought about a lack of intensity from the Norwood boys, thinking that this one would be easy. Perhaps that is doing a disservice to Croydon, who certainly attacked the contest with gusto. For whatever reason, this game was a slog - and didn't go according to pre-conceived notions.
We welcomed back big Monky to the 1st ruck role, and he had an immediate impact, winning the taps and gathering plenty of the ball through the midfield. Scott Day, back from injury, led out well on a couple of occasions for early goals, and looked to be set for a big afternoon. Croydon were digging in and certainly held their own in general play, but our class shone through at times as we added 3 more goals. By quarter time, we had quelled Croydon's early intensity and led comfortably 5.1 - 1.2.
Hopes of a big percentage boosting win were dashed by a poor second quarter. Croydon had control of the ball for most of the stanza, and converted five times, while we added just two goals. To make matters worse, Ev Johnson was AWOL, cut down by injury and his dynamic drive from half back was being sorely missed. At half-time we led by just a solitary goal, 7.4 - 6.4 and the brows of the Norwood faithful were furried....
Any worries, however, were quickly dispelled by the first 5 minutes of the 3rd quarter when we rammed on 4 goals. Our free flowing game was back and we cashed in accordingly. To anyone not at the ground, it would have appeared that there was a hurricane blowing to the southerly end of the ground, such was the dominance of scoring and general play at that end. By games end, there would be 21 goals scored, and just three of those at the Mullum Rd end, yet there was no wind to speak of.
At the 3/4 time huddle, we had Croydon at our mercy having booted 5.7 and held them scoreless. We led by 43 points, 12.11 - 6.4 and the much desired percentage booster and a shot at top spot on the ladder, looked likely. No sooner had our thoughts turned to this scenario than it was snuffed out by a determined Croydon last quarter effort as our boys, robbed of bench rotation by injuries to Ev and now Scott Day, could not muster any run. Croydon took their turn dominating to the "mystery" scoring end, and rattled on 3.7 to our single point, to make the final margin an unsatisfying 19 points. 12.12.84 - 9.11.65. In the 2nd half, just one solitary behind was scored at the Mullum Rd end by either team, while 8.14 was added at the other..........
This win consolidates 2nd position on the ladder, and while we were not at our best, we had the game in our control most of the day and can happily bank the vital premiership points. Shane Clayton and Kris Nye were our standout players in a patchy performance. We go on the road for a short trip to Sth Croydon at Cheong Park next week where we will have to play considerably better to get the 4 points. Let's hope this game was one of our 'stones' and next week is a 'diamond'.
Go Wooders.
Last Modified on 13/09/2012 11:05