Norwood and Vermont took to the field for Rd 13 of EFL action with both teams in superb form, both having recorded 9 wins from their last 10 games. There appeared little between them early, as both sides threw themselves ferociously at the ball. Such was the level of intensity that despite the perfect conditions for footy there was only 1 point scored in the first 10 minutes of play, extraordinary considering the Vermont ground is traditionally a high scoring one due to its small dimensions and shallow pockets. Eventually we broke through courtesy of a 30m snap from Brenter. Soon after Vermont converted two shots from the boundary line, one on either side of the ground, both from live-wire half-forward Henley, who was to cause us great concern all afternoon. On the siren Vermont marked at close range and converted for their 3rd, and despite our efforts we trailed by 14 pts at qtr time and it looked difficult to see how we would kick goals for the afternoon.
The 2nd quarter started very well for our boys as we moved the ball quickly to Skayve, who was proving to be our lone forward target. His aerial presence was supreme, but it was an individual goal from nothing that brought the Wooders fans to their feat, contesting a mark, recovering first, selling some candy and snapping from 30 for a sensational goal. Skayve would mark twice more and convert both times, scoring the only 3 goals of the quarter as we wrested control, holding Vermont goalless as we took a small but important lead to the half-time break. 4.2.26 - 3.6.24.
The 3rd quarter saw the characteristics of the game change completely. The game opened up as Vermont went more on the attack, abandoning their plan of putting players behind the ball, which saw goal scoring opportunities abound for both sides. Vermont skipped out to a 14 pt lead, but Norwood responded superbly, a banana goal from Hayden Jurey upsetting Vermont fans who suspected it may have been generously treated by the goal umpire, followed by a contentious mark and goal from Skayve which upset the home fans further. Roared on by tremendous support from the visiting Norwood faithful we surged forward again. A scramble ensued in the goalsquare which was toe-poked home by Brenter, and after some protracted discussions between the now under siege goal umpire and field umpire - encouraged by some stern advice from the Norwood faithful that it was indeed a clear goal, a goal was signalled and we had hit the front. The atmosphere was electric as the big crowd of about 1000 roared like they were 10,000. A late goal to Vermont had them back in front by 4 points as we trailed 9.4 - 9.8 at orange time, but the general feeling was that this magnificently contested match could go either way.
We broke form the centre at the start of the last quarter and Jurey marked 30m out straight in front, but his simple shot which would have given us the lead was tugged left for just a point. Vermont swept the ball the length of the ground for an immediate goal, the classic "11 point play" and followed it immediately after with 2 more. Things were looking bad but we muscled the ball forward where Monky grabbed it and snapped to give Norwood some chance, but it was not to be. Vermont definitely ran out the game better, their linking and overlap continuing deep into the quarter as our defensive unit was breached totally, probably for the first and only time this year. 6 more goals poured in as Vermont confidence rose. They were kicking them from everywhere, and we had no answer, a total of 9 goals to 1 for the quarter. At siren time the margin was 52 points, 10.7.67 - 18.11.119, and our boys had been comprehensively beaten in the last qtr. The result was very fair, but the margin was not as this had been a game where both teams had been at it hammer and tongs for 3 and a bit quarters.
Our best players were Skayve, Stuey Hill, Brenter, Edgy and Jesse Newman, but none of the players will take solace with being named in the best players given the outcome. To be the best, you have to beat the best, and on this day we were unable to do so. It is a harsh reality check, and the fallout for one bad quarter is extreme, as Norwood falls from 1st to 4th on the ladder, albeit still equal with top spot on percentage. This is an indication of how tight the battle is for top spots on the ladder. Next week it doesn't get any easier, as we face a tough home game against another genuine premiership contender - Scoresby. We need to bounce back hard and re-affirm the status of "The Fortress" to continue our charge towards finals and the possibility of a top 3 finish.
The news was not good from the other games either, as the 2nd fell convincingly to the undefeated Vermont and the U19s were also well beaten. Wake-up calls and gentle little reminders about the quality of this competition and its opposition have been dished out all round at Norwood this week... If we can take these in the right way, then its "Look out Scoresby"....
Go Wooders
Last Modified on 13/09/2012 11:07