It seems that gaining a profile in the EFL is a difficult thing to do, irrespective of the plain hard facts. A 1st v 2nd clash involving a known powerhouse - Balwyn, and an undeniable up-and-comer - Norwood, would appear to be the perfect vehicle for the EFL to showcase its product, yet in mid-week previews of the coming EFL action, the 'Bush and the Burbs' on SEN radio focussed, somewhat mystifyingly on the Lilydale v Knox clash before briefly mentioning our game. Strange stuff. Equally stupefying is the week on week 'Friday Preview' on the EFL website, which refuses to give the Norwood boys the nod in any game against an established opposition, despite the exposed formline. In some ways, for coach Kevin Tibaldi and his crew, this might be advantageous as we can prepare methodically for each game without the hype that can distract the players from their tasks. But for the Norwood faithful, including this correspondent, it is becoming a source of some bemusement and incredulity.
The facts leading in to the game were compelling. An 8-2 win/loss ratio, best statistical defence, unbeaten at "The Fortress" in 2012, huge scalp in Noble Park also in the bag, narrowly defeated by Balwyn at Balwyn earlier in the year. Everyone knows that the home-ground advantage in EFL is huge. When you're in form, as our boys undoubtedly are, the home ground is like a four goal wind.
So armed with all this knowledge, did the Friday Preview tip us?? No, they did not. "I'd like to tip Norwood, but blah blah..." "Can't go past the experience of Balwyn..." "Balwyn has the edge in Class". These were the statement trotted out. Were they reasonable? Probably, but I don't think they are doing Norwood's form and undoubted ability and class justice, but, well, thats just fine with us. We'll continue to fly under the radar and go quietly about our business for the next 7 home and away games. We have some tantalising clashes to come, including Vermont and Scoresby, but starting with an ever dangerous Knox at Knox next week. We'll take it week by week, as you should. The scribes can continue on their merry way focussing on Noble, Balwyn and others....
So to the game itself. What an armwrestle it was. Conditions were as close to perfect as you could hope on a sunny winters day, soft underfoot but not heavy other than in isolated patches such as the goalsquares - a testimony to the drainage put in a few years ago. Once again there was just the slightest breeze favouring the outer end, yet for the third home game in a row it seemed almost imnpossible to kick a goal to the Mullum Mullum Rd end. We kicked with the advantage in the first qtr, and started in emphatic fashion, despite not having captain and star on-baller Shane Clayton, lost to a groin injury. Brent English began at breakneck speed off the wing, freed up as Balwyn employed a flood behind the ball, hoping to get us on the rebound. This backfired as we kept the pressure on inside our forward 50 and Balwyn could not get it out. When they did, their movement was slow, enabling us to outnumber them easily inside their 50. Such was our dominance, that Balwyn did not score at all in the 1st qtr. Our contribution, including a bomb from Brenter from outside 50, was a solid 4.4, but could and possibly should have been more.
The 2nd quarter, as has been the case recently at Mullum Reserve, saw roles reversed. The game was played again at the Outer end, and Balwyn dominated. They quickly picked up 3 goals while holding us to a couple of points. Through the efforts of English, Matt Decler, Dave Blackie and Stuey Hill we began to gain a footing late in the quarter and towards the end had chance to register a vital major, but could not do so. At half-time the game was back in the balance, 4.8-32 to 4.5-29.
Kicking to the scoring end in the 3rd quarter we had to maximise our chances and register some goals to build up a lead for the last qtr. Balwyn forced repeated stoppages, not allowing us out into space to attack. Minutes ticked by and still we could not score, until at the 16 minute mark Blackie swooped on a ball at half-forward, evaded two would be tacklers and set sail from 40 for a wonderful individual goal. It was much needed, but was not accompanied by any more, and despite holding Balwyn to just 2 points for the quarter, we led by only 9 at 3/4 time. 5.10-40 to 4.7-31. All 9 goals for the game had been scored at the outer end, the end to which Balwyn would kick in the last quarter, and the consensus amongst the supporters was that perhaps we did not have a large enough lead.
We needed to 'break the duck' at the Mullum Rd end, and the 4th quarter started with a textbook piece of Footy. From the centre bounce Jon 'Monky' Wynn, whose influence on the game got greater as the game went on, tapped straight to 'Big' John Holmes who dashed forward with Kris Nye alongside. The dish to Nye saw him close in on 30 and a goal looked assured, but alas, Nye missed. Would there ever be a goal at this end again??? Balwyn took control and seemed certain to score but a great spoil from Hill prevented them. We tumbled the ball forward and Scotty Day, virtually unsighted in a tough day for full-forwards, marked on his chest just 20 metres out. His shot split the middle as we celebrated a drought-breaking goal and a precious 16pt lead as the quarter ticked to halfway. Immediately we surged forward and Day marked again, his conversion fuelling the growing belief in the Norwood faithful that we would win this game. When 'Kroozer' marked again straight in front and converted, the game was over - we had won convincingly, 8.13-61 to 4.10-34 in the 1st v 2nd clash and taken outright top spot on the EFL 1st division ladder, a truly 'red-letter' day for the club.....
Amazingly, Balwyn scored just 3 points in the last quarter, while our 3 goals seemed like 8. What stood out in the latter stages of this game was how much run our boys still had, while Balwyn looked jaded and spent. Perhaps their continued running deep into defence to get extra numbers back for the first 3 quarters had seen them run out of legs, because in the last quarter there were no extra numbers back, and our running brigade found time and space, cutting Balwyn up.
On the day we had many good players, but Brent English and Dave Blackie stood out for their tireless running through the middle, while Matt Decler at half-back was simply impassable. Stuey Hill took Balwyn's Nick Smith to the cleaners and Jesse Newman kept gun forward Luke Barker goalless with supreme defensive games. Monky's game was what we've come to expect from a player who may well be not just the best ruckman in the EFL, but possibly - to those who follow EFL and Norwood closely, the best PLAYER in the EFL as he ran and jumped over their goliath ruckmen despite conceding height and probably 40 kilos.
It should be manifestly impossible to take top spot on the EFL ladder in Rd 11 without attracting some attention and profile from the scribes and the pundits. Norwood's form warrants it, and our deeds thus far would indicate that we have earnt some time in the spotlight. If it is at all possible to avoid it, however, it will be achieved by Kevin Tibaldi and his team, and thats just the way that President Mark Etherington and his board would like it to be. We'll go quietly about our business, give ourselves just a small pat on the back, exchange a few smiles and words of encouragement, and get straight on with the next weekly challenge - this time a tough away fixture at Knox, where its never easy to win.
In other games there was more good news as the Reserves beat fellow finals aspirant Balwyn while the 2nd placed U19s took down unbeaten ladder leaders Scoresby in another 'top of the table' clash. The club celebrates yet another "Saturday Trifecta" - our 3rd in a row....
Go Wooders!!!!!!!!! (quietly please...) :)
Last Modified on 13/09/2012 11:06