Disciplined and committed Eagles overcome Sturt in SANFL clash at Unley Oval

WOODVILLE-West Torrens produced an outstanding four-quarter effort of discipline and commitment to conquer Sturt at Unley Oval.

Sturt’s Aidan Riley tries to break the Angus Poole tackle. Picture: Tait Schmaal.

WOODVILLE-West Torrens coach Michael Godden was not getting too carried away with the 33-point triumph over Sturt at Unley Oval on Sunday.

As he noted, they have been down this road before, beating the Double Blues away from home then faltering on the bigger finals stages when the premiership is on the line.

But he had every right to be satisfied with an impressive performance, dominating most facets of the game with tremendous discipline and commitment.

What pleased him the most was the response from his players to the loss to North Adelaide last weekend when he questioned the effort of his personnel.

“I can’t speak highly enough of their effort, I wanted a response and we got that,” Godden said.

“We have come here and beaten Sturt before and it hasn’t meant a lot at the end of the year, so we are not getting carried away.

Sturt’s Hugo Mumm takes a screamer. Picture: Tait Schmaal

“I’ve said it before, we just have to keep turning up each year and that is what we are doing. We are playing good enough to give ourselves a chance. First focus is the finals, then top three, the basics.”

The desperation of the Eagles was evident just four minutes into the battle when Matthew Goldsworthy threw himself across the boot of Double Blues ruckman Jack Osborn to smother the ball. It set a tone.

The Eagles were retrieving the ball from stoppages and using effective movement to dominate the inside 50 count, only to waste scoring opportunities.

Five minutes into the third quarter, the Eagles had had eight more scoring attempts and 15 more visits inside their attacking 50 and led by 35.

Even Double Blues coach Marty Mattner agreed his side did not look switched on.

The home side rarely threatened. There was a rare passage midway through the third quarter when terrific movement finished with a high-flying mark and goal from youngster Hugo Munn.

It cut the deficit to 18 points, but the Eagles had all the answers to the challenge.

“We did not turn up and to serve that up is not good enough,” Mattner said. “But credit to them, they are a good team and have been for a long time. They were good for four quarters. We had our moments, but you can’t be inconsistent against a good team.”

EAGLES 3.3 7.4 12.9 14.10 (94)

STURT 2.1 3.1 6.1 9.7 (61)

BEST — Eagles: J. Hayes, Thompson, Hall, Rowland, Haylock, Poole. Sturt: Stephens, Colquhoun, Crocker, Gilfoy, Osborn..

GOALS — Eagles: Haylock 4, J. Hayes 3, Hall 2, Gray, Borholm, Lewis, Lukosius, Rowland. Sturt: McAdam, Munn 2, Battersby, Penfold, Kirkwood, Hone, Osborn.

INJURIES — Sturt: Slimming (concussion).

UMPIRES — Galletly, Hundertmark, Crosby.

CROWD — 3054 at Peter Motley Oval, Unley.