Match report: Sturt downs South Adelaide to bounce back to winning ways

Sturt has produced a third-term blitz to bounce back from consecutive defeats and end South Adelaide’s unbeaten start to the SANFL season in a 22-point victory at Unley Oval.

STURT has produced a third-term blitz to bounce back from consecutive defeats and end South Adelaide’s unbeaten start to the SANFL season.

The Double Blues cracked open a tight contest with five straight goals in the premiership quarter on their way to a 22-point victory over the Panthers at Unley Oval on Sunday.

Sturt captain Zane Kirkwood kicked two goals in the Double Blues’ win over South Adelaide. Picture: AAP/Emma Brasier

A pair of Nick Liddle majors just before the last change gave the visitors a sniff as the teams turned for home.

But goals to captain Zane Kirkwood (24 disposals) and Jake Sutcliffe (three majors), as well as a brilliant solo effort by Aidan Riley, settled the encounter early in the final period.

Sam Colquhoun (40 possessions) shone for the hosts to secure their first triumph since a round-two success over Woodville-West Torrens.

Steven Slimming also worked hard to contain the threat of Panthers danger man Joel Cross in a key match-up.

Sturt coach Nathan Grima said the win was reward for his side’s positive displays, if not results, in recent games.

“I thought we’d been pretty solid for the last two weeks, but letting ourselves down at critical moments,” Grima said.

“We controlled the game for large parts, but once again through inaccuracy we found ourselves back in those moments.

“At three-quarter time it got back to 15 points, but we were prepared for that and excited by the chance to make sure we didn’t capitulate like we had in previous weeks.

“We just went back to what we said before the game, doing the little things well and staying in the moment.

“Today was a great test and I’m really proud of guys’ efforts.”

Sturt and South Adelaide players go up for a contest in their clash at Unley Oval. Picture: AAP/Emma Brasier

The commanding victory, which moved the Double Blues to the cusp of the top-five, inflicted South’s first loss of the campaign after it had drawn its previous two outings.

Sturt bossed kicks (207-169), handballs (107-81), marks (102-65) clearances (42-31) and inside 50s (45-37) in what was eventually a comfortable triumph.

But it led by just two at quarter-time following an open term high on competitive spirit but at times lacking in clean ball movement.

Mark Noble dribbled through the opening goal of the contest for the visitors, before Hugo Munn took a juggling mark and converted for the Double Blues.

Liam Fitt kicked truly from 50 to put the Panthers back in front, as Sturt had more of the footy but failed to turn it into scoreboard pressure.

Mark Evans nailed a 45m kick from near the boundary to hand the Double Blues a slender advantage at the first break.

The hard-fought contest continued in the second period as South snatched an unlikely four-point half-time buffer.

Riley and Sutcliffe goaled for Sturt either side of a superb Abe Davis snap from a tight angle for the Panthers.

Fitt booted his second and Hayden Sampson held his nerve from the pocket to hand South the lead.

But the home side took control of the match, kicking five majors without reply in the third quarter to set itself for victory.

Sutcliffe and Mark Evans each registered their second, before Kirkwood slammed home from close range.

South Adelaide’s Malcolm Karpany kicks for goal against Sturt. Picture: AAP/Emma Brasier

Daniel Fahey-Sparks snapped over his shoulder for his maiden league goal and John Greenslade kicked truly from just inside 50.

Back-to-back majors from Liddle in time on pulled South back to within 15 at the last change.

But Kirkwood booted his second early in the final term to settle Sturt nerves.

Goals to Sutcliffe, Riley, Tom Condon, and Josh Hone allowed the Double Blues to coast to victory.

South coach Jarrad Wright said his side was comprehensively outplayed.

“We probably lost every area of the ground,” Wright said.

“Our mids were out-hunted … and we were just on the back foot.

“We didn’t spread from stoppage, our backs were passive, their forwards rolled up and got the loose ball, and our forwards were out-marked and outworked by their defenders.

“At half-time we were probably pretty lucky to be up by four points and then once some effort dropped in the third quarter, we just got outplayed.”