By: Hayden Tilbrook
NORWOOD continued its mid-season resurrection with a stunning six-point victory over contender Blackburn in Round 8 to keep its finals dream alive.
With injuries to Tristan Tweedie and Matthew Aver heavily reducing the Norsemen’s bench rotations, exhausted players were left to cling desperately to a nine-point three quarter time lead.
When the final siren sounded with Norwood holding a 16.6 (102) to 14.12 (96) advantage, players and fans alike rejoiced at Mullum Mullum Reserve.
Leigh Williams led the charge for the Norsemen with eight goals on Saturday. PHOTO: Sporting Images
Norwood coach Marty Pask explained the galvanising effect the win had over the extended Norwood Football Club community.
“We spoke after the game about the wider community, and not just about the 22 (players),” Pask said.
“That’s something we’ve worked on a lot, that our footy club is understanding (of) the history of the club and also how much it means to people away from our football club.
“… This year we’ve actually done a few things to bring some past players back to the club and really try to connect again with some of the Norwood faithful.
“The atmosphere (on Saturday) was fantastic, our supporters are very passionate and really get behind our group of players, so to give them something to enjoy on their Saturday afternoon was certainly pleasing.”
After the club had managed just one win from its first four games of 2019, Norwood’s pursuit of a finals return looked dead before it could ever gain legs.
But having out-gunned Rowville in Round 5 to save their season, the Norsemen have now struck down their second top-four side in the four games since the disappointing start.
Pask’s men now find themselves 4-4, with just 5% separating them from that elusive fifth-place spot that would qualify the club for its first finals berth since 2015.
The Norwood coach said the willingness of the club’s older players to accept adjustments had been instrumental in the reversal of its fortunes.
“The one thing that I’ve been really proud of is the fact that our older guys have really embraced change at our footy club this year,” Pask said.
“If that has meant that a player is playing in a new position, or they’re changing structure, or something that is going to benefit us going forward, they’re putting their hand up and wanting to do it.”
One of those players is established ruck Darin Stewart.
With the club boasting two senior ruckmen after acquiring 208cm former basketballer Daniel Sutcliffe, Pask has had the liberty of employing Stewart in a lock-down defensive role.
After losing two defenders to injury, Stewart’s flexibility was at a premium on Saturday when he was swung back onto Blackburn’s Jake Hammond, holding the always-likely forward to one goal.
“Darin Stewart’s form this year has been nothing short of outstanding,” Pask said.
“… When I came to the club I said to him I thought he was a centre-half back.
“The ability to read the ball and his closing speed and his athleticism is something that I felt (meant) that he could play (in the backline) and do some really good jobs on players.”
After a taxing win, the Premier Division bye over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend comes at the right time for the Norsemen, as the club looks to lift itself into the top five.
Norwood will hope to regain Tweedie and Aver from their injuries in time for its Round 9 encounter with Doncaster at Schramms Reserve on Saturday, June 15.
EFL SUNDAY PODCAST | Listen to Norwood coach Marty Pask’s full interview here.
