SANFL 2019: Sturt v North Adelaide | Round 6 match report | Double Blues win second in a row

Sturt remains a work in progress in 2019, despite winning its second on the trot with an unspectacular but admirable performance against North Adelaide – whose finals hopes look shot – at Unley Oval on Saturday.

Sturt remains a work in progress in 2019, despite winning its second on the trot with an unspectacular but admirable performance against North Adelaide at Unley Oval on Saturday.

The Double Blues have translated their good footy into winning footy and were in control for the majority of the 34-point home victory.

Sturt's Aidan Riley in action against North Adelaide. Picture: AAP/Brenton Edwards

Reigning premier North slumped to 1-5 and – now five wins outside of the finals spots – have seemingly kissed September goodbye already.

For Sturt it was again an improved display, although turnovers cropped up a little too often and the forward line still has room for improvement.

But Josh Hone showed some trademark spark and recruit Josh Patullo grows in confidence with each game.

Double Blues coach Nathan Grima was pleased to win all four quarters for the first time this year but said his side still needed to learn to put teams away.

“At the minute it seems like we get that margin and then give a goal straight up but that maturity to capitalise will come,” Grima said.

“It’s good to square the season up at 3-3.”

 Sturt, which began 1-3 including tight losses to Norwood and Glenelg, carried its strong performance from the win over South Adelaide the week before into the clash against the Roosters.

The Double Blues opened the game up with a six-goal to three second term.

Hone turned the screws with three majors in the quarter and the Sturt faithful began to find its voice.

The Double Blues couldn’t quite put North away with just three majors kicked in the term, including a 17-minute goalless stretch, but always maintained a buffer over the visitors.

Tempers flair between Sturt's Matthew Crocker and North's Jarred Allmond. Picture: AAP/Brenton Edwards

Ball magnet Sam Colquhoun ran riot for the hosts with 33 touches and provided great foil for skipper Zane Kirkwood to shine with some key moments of brilliance, including two goals.

Alex Barns battled manfully in the ruck all day and onballers Aidan Tropiano and Tom Schwarz did there bit.

The Roosters were too often let down around the ground with basic errors, particularly some loose handballs in defence.

North coach Josh Carr said he was frustrated at points throughout the match as turnovers and discipline cost his side.

“Whether we’re good enough to make it (finals) or not, we just have to turn our form around and if that’s enough, who knows,” Carr said.

STURT 2.6 8.8 10.10 13.4 (92)

NORTH 2.3 5.6 6.8 8.10 (58)

BEST — Sturt: Kirkwood, Colquhoun, Slimming, Hone, F. Evans, Battersby. North: Barns, Tropiano T. Schwarz, Ramsey, Olekalns.

GOALS — Sturt: Hone, Patullo 3, Kirkwood, M. Evans 2, Greenslade, Riley, Slimming. North: Ramsey, Verity 2, Olekalns, Agorastos, Hender, Barns.

UMPIRES — Hughes, Sboro, Philp.