by Wedgie » Sun May 20, 2007 2:16 am
Norwood inspired
ZAC MILBANK
May 20, 2007 12:15am
Article from: Sunday Mail (SA)
NORWOOD needed inspiration - and well and truly got it.
With the Redlegs trailing by two goals at three-quarter time and staring a 1-5 win-loss record in the face, captain James Gallagher almost single-handedly sparked his team to a season-defining 11-point victory against West Adelaide yesterday.
One of the few Redlegs to play three solid terms in the lead up to the final change, the new skipper exploded in the final term to chalk up 12 of his 29 possessions when the game was on the line.
The former Crow opened up the scoring one minute into the final term with a goal, set up another and topped his game off by carrying the ball down the outer wing with three consecutive possessions as the Bloods threatened in the dying minutes.
"Gallagher, being the most experienced of them all, he knew the game was on the line at three-quarter time," West coach Wayne Weidemann noted. "And he stood up. We didn't have anyone with any sort of (running) capacity to go with him."
The humble Gallagher, known as "Gags", would only say "a few balls fell my way". But Redlegs coach Trevor Hill knew just how important his guidance was in the trenches.
"I think James now has a firm understanding of what leadership is all about," Hill said. "He's not a leader who just talks, but a leader who leads by action. His whole season has been outstanding."
With prime on-baller Scott Borlace felled during the first term, Gallagher, together with hard nuts Matt Dawes and Bryce Campbell, in the last term guided the visitors to their second win in 2007.
Given they were down by 25 points deep into the third term, it would have been easy for the Redlegs to give up. But their persistence paid.
"That was the key word I used in the post address, I was really proud of the effort," Hill said.
"I thought Westies were playing some dangerous footy and, losing Borlace early, we had to manufacture a lot today. That was the most pleasing thing."
Leading for most of the afternoon, the hosts appeared the more likely team to win. But their inability to close out victory proved costly.
"We've got to learn when we do get into those positions to deliver the killer blow," Weidemann said.
Veteran Ben Hollands was again a ball magnet for the Bloods, constructing many plays from defence with 31 disposals and nine marks. Equally as damaging was Power-listed Robbie Gray, who booted four goals and relished the damp conditions.
Damian Cupido (4.3) and Ryan Willits (12 marks) were consistent avenues to goal but ultimately West's decision-making was a critical sticking point during the dying stages of the match.
Armchair expert wrote:Such a great club are Geelong
Football 
