2024 Hostplus Norwood Pocket Profile

SANFL’s ZAC MILBANK breaks down all you need to know about the Redlegs heading into the 2024 Hostplus SANFL League season.

Saturday March 9
Norwood v North Adelaide at The Parade from 9am

Saturday March 16
South Adelaide v Norwood at Flinders University Stadium from 1.10pm

 Cooper Murley is a smooth-mover who has been likened to Port Adelaide star Zak Butters.

But the 20-year-old is well aware he has plenty of work to do if he’s to reach Butters’ heights after landing back at The Parade in the off-season.

Unable to break into a high-performing Collingwood outfit during his two years with the Pies, Murley will be itching to land a spot on the wing in the Redlegs’ first 22 come Round 1.

Measuring in at 178cm and 74kg, Murley boasts great running power while also hitting the scoreboard for 25 goals from his 38 VFL games with the Magpies.

SA U18 coach Tony Bamford profiles the Redlegs’ players in 2024.

Jay Polkinghorne
Jay is a talented high-marking tall forward from Penong on the Eyre Peninsula, who is now at boarding at Prince Alfred College. He has played predominantly as a key forward for both Norwood and PAC in the past two years. Unfortunately, Jay has recently had surgery on his knee, causing him to miss the last month of the Academy program. Jay is likely to miss the start of the season but should be fit mid-year, if not a bit earlier. When fully fit, we expect Jay to be playing a strong aerial role for both Norwood and PAC, taking marks both on the move and in a stationary contest.

Jacob Newton
Nicknamed “Pig”, Jacob is an in-and-under small midfielder from Elliston on the west coast of the Eyre Peninsula.  Jacob is a real pocket rocket who is very strong in the contest and plays with an uncompromising competitiveness. He has been a very good footballer playing as a midfielder in previous seasons. This year, Jacob will need to learn to play in other roles such as high half forward or small pressure forward, much the same way former SA U18 player and now Carlton FC listed player Corey Durdin did in his U18 year. Jacob has elite speed and endurance to complement his ball-winning ability, now just needs to add some half forward and small forward craft to his game.