Norwood will play in its third grand final in four years after smashing West Adelaide by 56 points in Sunday’s second semi-final at AAMI Stadium.
Their opponents will be decided in next weekend’s preliminary final between West and North after the Roosters continued their form resurgence with a comeback win against the Eagles.
Red-hot favourites before yesterday’s contest, the Redlegs are now virtually unbackable to claim their first back-to-back premierships in 90 years.
Right from the first bounce Nathan Bassett’s men looked in control of the match as numbers swarmed forward at every occasion en route to an eight-goal opening quarter.
While West’s Ryan Anderson managed to draw his side level eight minutes into the first term with a nice snap on goal from 30 metres, Norwood kicked the next seven goals in succession to take a commanding 43-point break into the first change.
The Bloods were clearly rattled after Norwood kicked the first two goals of the second term, with Warren kicking his third for the afternoon once he shrugged two tackles and snapped truly from 40m.
Magarey Medallist Matt Thomas led the midfield charge for Norwood with 34 disposals and seven clearances while Mat Suckling (33 and eight) and Mitch Grigg (33 and nine) were also influential.
North Adelaide’s remarkable run in the major round continued with a stunning 17-point win against Woodville-West Torrens in the first semi-final.
Despite trailing by as much as 37 points during the second term, the rampant Roosters stormed home for the second week in succession with an 11-goal second half.
Just seven days after running over the top of Central District in the Elimination Final, North repeated the dose to condemn the Eagles to a straight-sets finals exit.
An even contribution from Josh Francou’s midfield unit allowed his side to overcome the absence of Crows-listed forward Lewis Johnston, who was a late withdrawal due to an ankle injury.
The Eagles were overrun for the second week in succession leaving with plenty to think about in the off-season.
SCOREBOARD
North 2.3 4.4 8.5 15.10 (100) Eagles 2.3 8.5 10.10 12.11 (83)
BEST – North: G. Thring, O’Sullivan, Clinch, Gordon, Ryswyk, Miles, Amato, Campbell, Shannon. Eagles: Powell, Ellis-Yolmen, Parry, von Bertouch, Martyn, Salter.
GOALS – North: Ryswyk 3, Gordon, Blee, Campbell, Thiele 2, G. Thring, Shannon, M. Thring, Boles. Eagles: Salter 4, Ainger 2, Kane, Carey, Appleton, Goldsworthy, Staple, Borholm.
INJURIES – North: Johnston (ankle) withdrew from selected squad. Eagles: Goldsworthy (leg).
UMPIRES – Michael Avon, Tony Dey, Rowan Hundertmark
Norwood 8.2 10.6 12.13 14.16 (100) West 1.1 3.4 4.6 6.8 (44)
BEST – Norwood: Suckling, Grigg, Thomas, Webber, Dumont, Fuller, McGuinness, Phillips. West: Webb, Macreadie, Caire, Birss.
GOALS – Norwood: Phillips 4, Warren 3, Davis, Pfeiffer 2, Dumont, Fuller, Webber. West: Tuck, R. Anderson, Beech, Bonney, Rankine, Still.
INJURIES – Norwood: Zorzi (knee). West: Still (hand), Slattery (finger) withdrew from selected squad.
REPORTS – West: Hartlett (abusive language), (rough conduct).
UMPIRES – Leigh Haussen, Curtis Deboy, Michael Schramm.
CROWD – 9,248 at AAMI Stadium.
– www.sanfl.com.au
