SANFL Round 13: Sturt defeats Elizabeth by five points at Elizabeth Oval
Sturt coach Nathan Grima was a relieved man when his side kicked a late goal and then held on for the two premiership points on Saturday.
Central District and Sturt showed just what a great competition the SANFL was with an absorbing battle at Elizabeth Oval on Saturday with twists and turns from start to finish.
The bottom line was Sturt held on to win 12.12 (84) to 12.7 (79) after scores were level 20 minutes into the last quarter after Sturt had led at each change. A goal to Justin Hoskin set the Dogs alight with 13 minutes gone but James Battersby goaled for Sturt at the 24-minute mark to regain the lead for the Double Blues after a fluctuating 10 minutes where both sides had their chances to seal victory.
Earlier Sturt controlled play and scoring for the early parts of each quarter only for the Dogs to find a way back.
Sturt coach Nathan Grima, who played in Central’s 2007 premiership side, was relieved to scramble home.
“Definitely had a bit of luck there,’’ Grima said. “The stoppages, contested ball, most of the key stats Central controlled and they gave us a real touch up at times. But we found a way. It would have been disappointing not to have won for Zane (Kirkwood) in his 200th game.’’
Central coach Roy Laird was shattered with the near miss but proud of his team’s spirit.
“We just weren’t polished enough to take our chances,’’ Laird said.
“We reiterated that was the brand of footy we wanted to play. We forced a good side into errors and that was our most sustained effort for the year. Our lads have to learn to take those chances.’’
There were turning points everywhere with the Double Blues taking a grip on the game in each of the early parts of the first three quarters with six of their nine goals, to that point, within 10 minutes of those quarters.
Danyle Pearce was all class for Sturt with his leadership and calmness, while Mark Evans was dangerous in attack with five goals. Jarrod and Travis Schiller battled well for Central, while young gun Corey Durdin capped a solid debut with a good goal in the third quarter.
Meanwhile, Central is mourning the passing of club legend John Delo, 91. Delo was the Bulldogs’ inaugural captain and best and fairest winner in 1959 when the club competed in the SANFL reserves competition before entering league ranks in 1964.
SCOREBOARD
STURT 5.1 7.7 9.9 12.12 (84)
CENTRAL DISTRICT 4.3 6.6 9.6 12.7 (79)
BEST
Sturt: Pearce, M Evans, Slimming, Kirkwood, Crocker, Battersby.
Central District: J Schiller, T Schiller, Goodrem, J Neagle, Hoskin
GOALS
Sturt: M Evans 5, Patullo 2, Slimming, Hone, Sutcliffe, Battersby, Colquhoun.
Central District: Robinson 3, J Schiller 2, T Schiller, J, Neagle, M Neagle, McKenzie, Durdin, Menzel, Hoskin.
CROWD
1943 at Elizabeth Oval
UMPIRES
Crosby, Burke, Schramm