SANFL 2006 ROUND 18: NORWOOD v GLENELG

Hill's men up for the challenge

By ANDREW SPENCE

NORWOOD coach Trevor Hill is still confident the Redlegs can secure a SANFL finals berth this season despite a crucial 43-point loss to Glenelg at Coopers Stadium on Saturday.

The Redlegs clawed their way back into the game early in the last quarter after trailing at every change and reduced the margin to eight points before the Tigers slammed on the last six goals of the match to seal the win.

Both sides went into the match after three successive wins and tied on 16 points.

But Glenelg's more efficient use of the ball and quality finishing helped it clinch the two points and cement fourth spot on the ladder.

Hill said skill errors and poor kicking for goal again proved costly for Norwood.

“But certainly we know that we are still in the hunt,” he said.

“One loss shouldn't really set you back to zero. The last month in particular has been terrific and the players have really tried hard so certainly we aren't going to wallow, we know we've got another big game this week.”

Norwood had more of the football throughout the match but could not capitalise on its chances, especially in the third quarter.

Defender Nick Jackman was again resolute in defence while midfielders Bryce Campbell, James Gallagher, Brett James and Scott Borlace had more than 100 possessions between them.

Hill said the Redlegs were still confident of beating any side on their day.

“Today I thought we had a lot of opportunities but unfortunately our skill level let us down and that's an important part of footy – getting your skills right.”

This week the Redlegs travel to Noarlunga to play seventh placed South Adelaide in what is looming as a must win game for both sides.

SCORES: Norwood 4.4 6.7 9.13 10.16 76 defeated Glenelg 7.2 9.7 12.9 18.11 119.

BEST: Norwood - Jackman, Gallagher, Campbell, James, Lower, Bailey; Glenelg - Backwell, McConnell, Gibbs, Mitchell, Allen, Graham.

GOALS: Norwood - Vlatko 3, Pfeiffer 2, Brunoli, Cockshell, Bartemucci, Gallagher, Bown; Glenelg - McConnell 5, Gibbs 4, Backwell, Duldig, Graham, Kirkby 2, Allen.