West Adelaide’s Foxtel Cup defence falls at first hurdle

WEST Adelaide’s Foxtel Cup defence came to an abrupt end on Tuesday night with a four-point loss to Western Storm at Adelaide Oval.

West Adelaide’s Harry Vick gets a handball away against Western Storm in the Foxtel Cup a

WEST Adelaide’s Foxtel Cup defence came to an abrupt end on Tuesday night with a four-point loss to Tasmanian side Western Storm at Adelaide Oval.

With three games in eight days, the Bloods’ side was almost unrecognisable to its regular league team and despite getting within a kick of the Storm with a late goal to Jesse Watchman, West trailed from start to finish.

Tom Schott was the Bloods’ best with his creative work through the midfield and a clever goal, while Lachlan Jennings and Ryan Dijksman fought hard and Richard Newell showed flashes.

Phil Hopton kicked two goals but they were unable to match the visitors who progressed to the semi finals in June.

With Jake Huett mopping up across half back, former Brisbane Lion Bart McCulloch and fellow big man Mitch Hills dictated terms in the ruck and MucCulloch and Shaun Collis both kicked two goals in the win.

The Bloods trailed by 14 points at three quarter time and although they had most of the play in the last term, they couldn’t put it on the scoreboard as the Storm held on for a narrow victory.

The SANFL’s other side in the Foxtel Cup, Norwood, opens its campaign against East Perth at Patersons Stadium on May 27.

WESTERN STORM 4.2 7.4 9.6 9.7 (61)

WEST ADELAIDE 2.1 4.4 7.4 8.9 (57)

BEST - Western Storm: Collis, Huett, Brown, Hanson, McCulloch, Drake. West Adelaide: Schott, Jennings, Newell, Dijksman, Male.

GOALS - Western Storm: Collis, McCulloch 2, McGee, Russell, Brown, Barker, Thomas. West Adelaide: Watchman, Hopton 2, Minuzzo, Schott, Dijksman.