By Trent Callen
The Vermont Eagles hosted Norwood in an enthralling Anzac Day battle, as both sides sat poised to grasp the chance at a second scalp for the year in as many matches.
The game unfolded in unfamiliar fashion for Vermont, unable to replicate their fast start the week prior, instead, conceding the first handful of goals for the match. Lochlan Dickson opened the account for Norwood manufacturing a right foot snap tucked up against the boundary line to draw first blood. The Eagles struggled to find answers to nullify the swift ball movement forward, despite the efforts of Joey Fisher standing tall down back with the defender laying a set of knuckles on everything in his general direction however the constant barrage of attack meant conversion was inevitable.
A 38-point deficit faced Vermont heading into the second term. Crucially, through Vermont’s Emi Alexio they secured their first and the momentum shift was in full swing.
Assisted by the breezy conditions Vermont were able to take full advantage and with repeat entries to score in quick succession. Mason Hawkins found space on the lead to hit the scoreboard alongside a running Greenwood receiving by hand on the outer to convert. The run with role Lucas Vassis was appointed with worked wonders to negate the impact of Thomas Maloney.
Vermont managed to even up the ledger showing fight to draw within reach heading into the main break however Rhett Jordon had other ideas. Norwood’s captain stemming the flow with a big mark rising high and a tough set shot kick to match against the grain, leading from the front.
The premiership quarter was a game of keepings off with both sides challenging to gain possession in a stalemate. Despite the 20-point lead in favour of Norwood the game appeared evenly poised with inaccuracy costing Vermont in the opening minutes of the stoppage riddled third term. The apparent injury to key defender Tristan Tweedie for Norwood hurt their back six setup with the replacement thrown the challenge of denying Andrew Ainger.
A triumphant resurgence from Vermont paved by the way of Ainger who remained off the leash in a telling turn of events. A pair of maximums for the key forward in a critical stage turned the game on its’ head setting sail from outside the arc on one occasion.
The Eagles landed the knockout blow through Lachlan Johns who stepped up when it mattered most to send the purple and gold into a frenzy. Johns two last term majors confirmed the turnaround the latter of which a long-range bombing goal the final nail in the Norwood coffin. The crowd in a show of faith sticking around to erupt at the siren sounding to the tune of a 10-point victory 92-82 in favour of Vermont.
Robbie Ross was awarded the Anzac Day medal for his best afield efforts richly deserved for toiling hard throughout, channelling the fighting spirit of the medals significance.
