SANFL Snapshot – Qualifying Final

Woodville-West Torrens scrapped its way to a hard-fought seven-point Qualifying Final win against Norwood at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.

Booking a berth against Glenelg in the Second Semi-Final, the Eagles were forced to tough it out against the Redlegs in a slog which yielded just 15 goals between the two sides.

The reigning premier never led by more than two goals and even with five fewer inside 50 entries, just found enough to get over the line despite being one rotation short for the majority of the match after defender Rory Lehmann injured his hamstring in the opening term.

Former Crow Tyson Stengle proved to be a significant difference-maker with his three goals in a low-scoring affair, consistently looking dangerous and creating opportunities for his teammates if he wasn’t kicking a major himself.

Daniel Menzel chimed in for two goals for the Eagles but it was Riley Knight and James Tsitas racking up 29 disposals each in the midfield, who carried a heavy load.

Vice-captain Joseph Sinor collected 24 possessions and kicked a massive set shot goal from long range to give the Eagles a 12-point lead 13 minutes into the last term.

Nippy Redlegs goalsneak Henry Nelligan replied with an eye-catching reply from outside 50m just a minute later but the Eagles were able to absorb everything their rivals threw at them to get a crack at minor premier Glenelg from 7.15pm next Saturday night.

Norwood’s Richard Douglas finished with a team high 31 disposals, eight clearances and a goal while Nik Rokahr had 30 disposals.

Redlegs captain Matthew Nunn made a successful return from his latest hamstring setback to tally 25 disposals, seven tackles, five clearances and his team’s only goal of the third quarter.

Norwood will now face South Adelaide in next Saturday’s cut-throat First Semi-Final at 3.15pm.