Round 2 Hostplus SANFL League Snapshot – Friday night

Woodville-West Torrens escaped The Parade with its first premiership points of the season after holding on for a pulsating two-point win against Norwood on Friday night.

Missing first-choice ruckman Jarrad Redden and with three AAMI Rookies in the line-up, the Eagles made the most of their opportunities to fend off the desperate, yet wasteful Redlegs.

The hosts held a seven-point lead five minutes into the final term when Cam Taheny nailed his set shot from the pocket, only to see the Eagles cancel it out when Troy Menzel kicked his third 90 seconds later.

Eagles goalsneak Zane Williams restored the lead for the visitors with his simple set shot 25m out before teammate Jake Comitogianni looked to have kicked the sealer in the 18th minute after capping off a nice coast-to-coast play.

But the Redlegs – who won the inside 50m count 59 to 39 – wouldn’t be denied when Ben Jarvis bounced his snap through approaching the 25-minute mark.

Jade Rawlings’ men – who also had three more scoring shots and 11 more marks – had the ball bottled up in the scoreboard pocket only to hear the final siren sound in agonising fashion.

Michael Taylor Medallist Nik Rokahr (29 disposals) and captain Matthew Nunn (27 disposals) found plenty of the ball for the Legs while Harry Boyd posted another strong game in the ruck with 19 disposals, seven tackles, six clearances and a mammoth 46 hit outs.

Former Bulldog Connor McLean looked threatening at times in the air while booting two for Norwood while Jarvis, Taheny and Xavier Tranfa kicked a pair each.

The Eagles – with ruckman Zac Phillips, defender Zac Buck and utility Lachie Hoile on debut – were led on the stats sheet by Dylan Clarke, Kai Pudney and Riley Knight, who collected 25 disposals each.

Troy Menzel (3.1) was lively all night despite having to leave the field in the third term to have his knee strapped, only to return to kick his vital fourth-term major.

Eagle Mitch Hardie also booted three goals including a laser-like set shot from the boundary while former Brisbane Lion Connor Ballenden impressed in his first League game for the club with 14 disposals, 10 marks and two long-range set shots goals.