Your guide to a perfect day at the footy

For over 100 years The Parade has been home to the proud Norwood Football Club. And with local football once again welcoming large crowds, there’s never been a better time to celebrate game day by cheering on the mighty Redlegs. This year they’re searching for premiership number 31 and they take on the South Adelaide Panthers at 2:10 pm on Sunday 9 August. Here’s how to spend the perfect day at the footy.

Grab a footy and emulate your idols

Whether you dream of imitating Redlegs club champion Brad McKenzie with towering marks or kicking a bag of goals like new forward Tom Pinyon, the best way to practise is with an SANFL standard Burley Premier football. At Powerhouse Sports you’ll find a range of styles from the official match weight leather ball through to synthetic options and junior sizes. And while you can’t enjoy a half time kick on Norwood Oval just yet, there are plenty of parks nearby to practice on.

Meet the gang for lunch

A sfizio is an indulgence that you don’t necessarily need, but that brings great pleasure.  In short, it’s one of the little things that makes life worth living. Like Sfizio, the cafe that has become a local institution since opening in 2016. Whether you’re grabbing a coffee or sitting down for a classic Italian lunch with a modern twist, it’s the perfect place to meet up before strolling down to Norwood Oval.

Or if too much footy is never enough, join the red and blue army before the game for a private luncheon at Norwood Hotel (bookings can be made through Norwood Football Club).

Cheer on the mighty Redlegs

Wherever you have lunch, make sure you get to the oval in time for the first bounce at 2:10pm. If you’re a ticketed member or season pass holder you can enter with your barcoded card and everyone else is strongly encouraged to pre-purchase tickets to avoid queueing at the gate. For the second home game of the season, Norwood Oval will return to a 3,000 capacity and you’ll be able to hear the crowd roar at every goal from outside the stadium.

The Redlegs have been playing here since 1901, but never has it been more necessary to embody their motto of Fortis In Procella, or “strength in adversity”. Well placed in the top four after six rounds, they’ll fight to keep their winning streak going against South Adelaide, and will need every bit of encouragement they can get.

Enjoy a celebratory post-match drink

Just a few minutes walk from the centre of the action, The Colonist is a great spot to relive every moment of the game. Hopefully you’ll be celebrating a great win, but whatever the result you can rely on a refreshing craft beer and a hearty feed like scotch fillet or chargrilled pork belly fresh off the grill. If you head straight from the game, you can even take advantage of the 3-6 happy hour with $10 cocktails.