NORWOOD talent Kiana Lee produced one of the most incredible individual quarters in recent SANFLW finals history, when she kicked three goals in the second term to seize control for the Redlegs in the preliminary final against Glenelg. It was not just the fact she kicked three goals in the quarter, but also the sublime execution of skill from Lee with all three outstanding finishes, in her 50th game no less.

BREAKDOWN

TIME PERIOD: Quarter 2 | Minutes 2:34-17:05 (14:31 overall)
ELAPSED SCORE: Norwood 2.2 (14) – Glenelg 2.0 (12)

GOAL #1: 2:34 | Norwood 3.2 (20) – Glenelg 2.0 (12)

Incredibly Lee’s first goal came after a couple of missed chances, with one set shot falling short and rushed through, and another getting to the goalline over hands but skidding to the left. From the next kickout, the ball went out of bounds and being the closest to where it went out, Lee took the last touch kick. From the tightest of angles 35m out on the boundary – non preferred for a right footer – Lee hit the eye of the needle and made it look easier to give her side an eight-point buffer.

GOAL #2: 14:41 | Norwood 4.2 (26) – Glenelg 2.0 (12)

It took a little while in what was a contested scrap and not many other opportunities for Lee to kick her second, but it was worth the wait. Under pressure in the back 50, Glenelg defender Lauren Edwards made little effort to disguise her attempts to rush it over the boundary, and the umpire was quick to blow the whistle and award the free kick. Lee sensing an opportunity from the other pocket in an identical mirrored position, went back and split the big sticks again. Her ability to finish so well from the tightest of angles was incredible.

GOAL #3: 17:05 | Norwood 5.2 (32) – Glenelg 2.0 (12)

Having finished well from both pockets, Lee decided a degree of difficulty was requite for her third, being a player on the mark. After another Glenelg turnover inside 50 that was picked off by Lee just inside 50, she went back to have her set shot with top-ager Violet Patterson standing the mark. Selling some candy and sidestepping Patterson, Lee gained an extra 10m then had the class to finish off on the run and celebrate accordingly, blowing the lead out to 20 points in the process.

WHAT HAPPENED NEXT?

Lee spent more time in defence during the third term, having also played there in teh first quarter taking multiple marks. Glenelg came back in the premiership quarter and even hit the front just before the last change, before Norwood regained composure and kicked the final three goals of the match to win by 19 points, 8.7 (55) to 5.6 (36).

WHAT DID IT PROVE?

Lee is the X-Factor in the Norwood side, playing in her second season at the club since crossing from the Eagles. After only playing the four games last season, Lee established herself as one of the best contested marks in the competition this season and will now lineup in her first SANFLW Grand Final. She is no stranger to kicking goals, having booted 19 in 16 games this season, a remarkable effort considering Lee also spends significant time in defence.

The utility even went to do a tagging role on star Glenelg midfielder Jess Bates in the final term of the preliminary final, and while not quite as effective in that role, she has proven herself as a critical member of the side. Expect her to play at both ends in the grand final against South, and given her hands in the aerial contests and work rate to run up and down the ground, no doubt she will cause the Panthers’ coaching staff some headaches this week.