One brilliant quarter enables Sturt to conquer Central District in SANFL
STURT again showed off its potential with a brilliant opening quarter setting the platform for a vital win over Central District.
IF Sturt puts together a four-quarter performance the dream of a hat-trick of premierships can be a reality.
But while the Double Blues continue their Jekyll and Hyde acts such as Sunday’s 51-point win over Central District at Unley Oval they are vulnerable.
The first quarter was stunning stuff from the home side, completely dominate as they rammed home eight goals and kept the Bulldogs scoreless. It was an incredible display showcasing their potential.
However, their commanding quarter-time lead was the final margin. They even led by 69 points early in the second term after three goals in the first five minutes against the wind.
This was a highly impressive brand of football the Double Blues had produced for three quarters against Norwood and Woodville-West Torrens in the previous two weeks.
Not that Double Blues coach Marty Mattner is too perturbed. His side has climbed to third on the ladder and he is confident in the form of the players.
“I thought we played better against Norwood and lost,” Mattner said. “We played three really good quarters and one poor one and lose.
“We play one good quarter against Central and win the game. It’s a funny game of footy.
“I’m not overly worried about playing four quarters. It was a good win and we will take it.
“I think we are in quite good form, we won by 51 points and you take that at this time of the year against a team playing for a finals spot.”
The Double Blues went on the rampage in the opening quarter, dominating the stoppages and brushing aside the Bulldogs to constantly charge forward with slick ball movement.
Ruckman Jack Osborn had a huge influence and captain Zane Kirkwood got his hands to plenty of ball. It was a team effort though as players worked tirelessly to back teammates.
And when Mark Evans nailed the second of his five goals two minutes into the second quarter and was quickly followed by majors from Josh Hone and Osborn, the Double Blues were on fire and headed for a serious percentage booster.
Mistakes became an issue for the Double Blues, however, as the game became scrappy and they started to miss targets and provide turnover ball for the Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs’ pressure lifted and they regained composure and some confidence to fight back. Not that a win was a possibility after the poor first quarter when coach Roy Laird said the physicality was not good enough.
“The scoreboard was beyond us after quarter-time, but we hung in there,” he said.
STURT 8.3 13.5 14.9 18.12 (120)
CENTRAL DISTICT 0.0 4.3 6.4 10.9 (69)
BEST - Sturt: Osborn, M. Evans, Riley, Kirkwood, Dodd, Stephens. Central: Dew, T. Schiller, F. Fort, Goodrem, Watt.
GOALS - Sturt: M. Evans 5, Sutcliffe 3, Hone, Read 2, Osborn, F. Evans, Riley, Greenslade, Dodd, Munn. Central: Presbury, Butcher, Watt 2, Dew, Hately, Jenner, McKenzie.
UMPIRES - Harris, Philp, Sobieraj.
CROWD - at Peter Motley Oval, Unley.