In the dying days of their ultimately forlorn campaign to usurp Central, Norwood supporters hatched a plan.
They called it MONSFAW. Shhh, they whispered on Coopers Hill, don't tell the opposition.
Whenever the Redlegs players needed a boost, the fans would flick the MONSFAW switch and, hey presto, a run of goals would surely follow.
"Is now the right time to tell our coach and players the meaning of MONSFAW?" a Legs loyalist asked on the club's chat site.
"A secret weapon against Centrals would perhaps confuse the Centrals playing group and supporters."
Another added: "The opposition players and supporters will have no idea what it means and our players will know EXACTLY what we are saying."
The Sunday Mail can reveal MONSFAW is no secret potion, no magical formula, no kryptonite to Central's Supermen.
It's an acronym to be chanted from the terraces, standing for: Men Of Norwood, Stand, Fight And Win.
We mustn't judge these Norwood tragics too harshly. In a way their naive passion serves to underscore all that is good about the local league.
And, let's face it, football in general is a bit short on wordsmiths so we should not be too offended by their clumsy attempt at inspiration.
Take the press release from Carlton last week that said its coach had "commandeered the team to one of its best seasons in more than a decade".
Little wonder the team did so well, given the coach was allowed to dragoon the players into total service.
And the Norwood example is refreshing in a game dominated by weasel words and spin.
For example, the three Crows players cut last week were "released", not sacked. How kind of the club to set them free.
Anyway, it came to pass that Norwood's secret weapon inexplicably misfired, not only against Central but also against the Eagles.
Earlier the Bays were too slow, the Panthers too callow, the Bloods too precipitate.
So on this final day of the football season (does it ever really end?) we are left with Central. Again.
This has greatly stressed my father who has called the Dogs the "stale pasty throwers" ever since the Sturt mini league was plastered with Balfours' finest as we ran down the Elizabeth race.
Dad is not alone. Commentators who pay scant attention to the SANFL throughout the season are urging all the non-Dogs supporters to get behind the Eagles, lest Central win its 10th flag in 12 years.
Yes, all the best to the Eagles but so what if Central wins? All but Dogs supporters have lost count of their flags tally anyway.
By any measure, Central should be lauded for forging one of the most remarkable winning runs in the nation's sporting history.
The other eight clubs need more than secret slogans to bring the Dogs to heel.
Norwood better run and use of handball. We tried. Well done 19 year old Harvey Howe, Boyd is an SANFL gun and Howe did okay (we did alright in the clearances). Did okay in inside 50s, just made it hard for our forwards. We're a couple of midfielders short. Sharp definitey going to be a champion.
Glenelg the only team that could stop Norwood now
Today showed again ,unfortunately if we did get through to the GF it will be a smashing.
We simply are not good enough to get remotely close to them .
Howe tried hard on this years Magarey Medallist .
We tried but were simply outclassed
Glenelg the only team that could stop Norwood now
Today showed again ,unfortunately if we did get through to the GF it will be a smashing.
We simply are not good enough to get remotely close to them .
Howe tried hard on this years Magarey Medallist .
We tried but were simply outclassed
Dogs well beaten today but all part of the learning experience for a relatively young group.. Expectations will be lowered again next Sunday and I expect us to have a red hot crack again..We beat the Bays a month ago and can do it again..
Players win touches, Teams win matches, Clubs win Premierships.
Hazydog wrote:Dogs well beaten today but all part of the learning experience for a relatively young group.. Expectations will be lowered again next Sunday and I expect us to have a red hot crack again..We beat the Bays a month ago and can do it again..
I think you’re ahead of schedule on your roadmap mate, of course once you get an opportunity in finals you always want to make them count, but I suspect Thommo would have had a 3-5yr plan in place. Between him and Rossy I have do doubt you’ll get there, and soon (possibly as soon as two weeks time, who knows). You’ve got some great kids there who play a hard nosed brand of footy, once the wins rack up across a few seasons the players will add a touch of arrogance to it (the good sort that all good sides have).
Yes we had more inside 50s, but I cannot think of one that was delivered with precision. Credit to Norwoods pressure on the ball carrier.
Harvey Howe deserves credit for being competitive against the Boyd Beast. He was thrashed at the Parade but showed how quickly he is learning.
Sharpes first quarter was outstanding but he burnt some energy. Thomas, Presbury, Barry and Chisholm had some good moments and Kendall on Callow did well.
Norwood have so many weapons, it's hard to know where the next danger will arrive from. Also, a very astute and calm coach.
Wolf Pack wrote:Centrals are miles off it.
A Glenelg v Norwood GF will be a beauty!
Like a good wolf I’ll bite. If we’re miles off then god help the rest. So easy from the cheap seats.. no one gave us a chance against Sturt and we proved them wrong.. I can assure you every Glenelg supporter will be wary of what we might produce next Sunday..
Players win touches, Teams win matches, Clubs win Premierships.
Wolf Pack wrote:Centrals are miles off it.
A Glenelg v Norwood GF will be a beauty!
Like a good wolf I’ll bite. If we’re miles off then god help the rest. So easy from the cheap seats.. no one gave us a chance against Sturt and we proved them wrong.. I can assure you every Glenelg supporter will be wary of what we might produce next Sunday..
Players win touches, Teams win matches, Clubs win Premierships.
