Double Blues come from behind to shock Adelaide

THE ground announcer was wasting energy delivering the message for fans to stay off Unley Oval until the players had left the arena.

SANFL: Richard Tambling from Sturt. Action from the Sturt v Adelaide Crows game at Unley Oval. Picture Sam Wundke.

THE ground announcer was wasting energy delivering the message for fans to stay off Unley Oval until the players had left the arena.

Double Blues supporters had already swarmed onto the ground to share the joy of an emotional triumph after the home side came from behind to conquer Adelaide by six points in a highly entertaining battle on Saturday.

The Double Blues were down for the count when the Crows led by 24 points early in the third term and were seemingly ripe for the picking.

But coach Seamus Maloney has installed a tremendous spirit and work ethic at Unley this season and the Double Blues responded to the challenge to claim the valuable two premiership points. The victory has all but sealed a top three spot for the Double Blues and the vital double chance in the finals.

As for the Crows, they will rue wasted opportunities and the defeat has ended their slim hopes of a finals berth. They were also hampered by the loss of Shaun McKernan in the first quarter because of a hamstring issue and Riley Knight with a leg injury in the second term. "We have played with passion and intensity all year and we required it today — the boys really lifted in the second half,'' Maloney said. "Five minutes into the third quarter the comment was made in the box that we looked a bit cooked and it wasn't looking pretty.''

Just how far the Crows state league side has progressed this season was evident early when they put the Double Blues under the pump, getting plenty of ball from the stoppages and moving it with confidence.

Sam Kerridge quelled Double Blues onballer Zane Kirkwood, Cameron Ellis-Yolmen and Matt Crouch had an influence in the midfield and Rory Laird impressed at half back.

The Double Blues were able to get plenty of run but too many promising attacking raids broke down due to skill errors. When they did get it into attack full forward Matthew Duldig had the Crows defence nervous. Ben Rutten was moved off Duldig and deep into attack for the second half with Lewis Johnston taking over the tough defensive job. Three goals for the Double Blues in the first six minutes of the final term cut the deficit to just two points and set up an enthralling fight for the points.

"It was disappointing in the last 10 minutes not to be able to play the way we wanted for a number of reasons,'' Crows coach Heath Younie said.

"We went back into our shell for the last 10 to 15 minutes. It was always going to be a challenge for our guys with just one on the bench for the second half.''