Tough-tackling West Adelaide notched its first win under coach Brad Gotch, holding off Norwood by 18 points at Hisense Stadium on Friday night.
Leading at every change, the Bloods strangled the life out of the Redlegs with their pressure around the ball and at the stoppages, in what proved to be a low-scoring affair.
With classy left-footer Jordan Boyle – 33 disposals and five marks – prominent, West laid 81 tackles to Norwood’s 61 despite having 12 fewer inside 50 entries with more of the disposal on the night.
Premiership forward Jono Beech, captain Tom Keough and Gold Coast Suns recruit Josh Gore all looked lively at different times in attack while booting two goals each for the Bloods.
West midfielder Kaine Stevens had 24 disposals and four clearances while Ed Allan used his admirable running power to collect 23 possessions, nine tackles and a goal.
In defence, Mitch Duval showed tremendous timing and desperation with his spoils and intercepts while former Redleg Pat Levicki and dour Josh Ryan were also very solid.
Norwood captain Matt Nunn tried hard in tallying a team high 25 disposals and seven clearances while Jacob Kennerley tried to spark his team in the final term before finishing with 21 disposals and a game-high 10 clearances.
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