SANFL 2016: Woodville-West Torrens stake claim for flag with win over Sturt
HALTING Woodville-West Torrens’ charge at the SANFL premiership is going to take a massive effort.
HALTING Woodville-West Torrens’ charge at the SANFL premiership is going to take a massive effort.
Just a month out from the finals, the Eagles made another significant statement when they conquered Sturt, top of the premiership ladder entering the game, by 39 points at Woodville Saturday.
It was the same margin from the opening round at Unley. The Double Blues had tasted defeat just once since.
The victory enabled the Eagles to jump above the Double Blues into top spot with three games remaining.
“Anyone would be a liar if they said they did not want top spot,” Eagles coach Michael Godden said. “But you are not going to sell the farm for it, not going to risk players.
“I’m very happy, I’d be happy with any win against a side which has been untouchable most of the year.”
The Eagles and Double Blues have all but secured the double-chance, and that will be a definite if Adelaide loses to Port Adelaide at Alberton Oval today.
But the Eagles have surely claimed favouritism given the manner in which they went about their work Saturday.
It all started down back where Patrick Giuffreda led a composed defence. Around the packs it was Nick O'Brien doing much of the grunt work, Nick Hayes marked with authority and Marc Borholm had a huge influence. Andrew Ainger celebrated his 100th appearance with four goals and strong marking.
The damage was created in the first quarter when the Eagles outscored the Double Blues despite having a strong wind in their faces.
They controlled the ball, having an incredible 62 more disposals, while their pressure was impressive.
The Eagles’ lead grew to 28 points in the second term before the Double Blues, getting more ball from the stoppages courtesy of Zane Kirkwood and using it with patience, worked back into the battle.
The visitors, dealt a cruel blow when in-form defender Fraser Evans was stretchered from the field due to a knee injury, cut the deficit to just eight late in the third quarter.
But the Eagles always had the answers, nailing the final three goals of the term to again grab the ascendancy.
“I was disappointed with the first quarter, when you are behind the eight ball against a team like that it is hard,” Double Blues coach Marty Mattner said.
“Our pressure was good early but we could not convert on the scoreboard.”
SCOREBOARD
EAGLES 3.2 6.4 10.5 12.12 (84) STURT 1.0 3.1 6.3 7.3 (45) BEST — Eagles: O’Brien, Borholm, Giuffreda, Petrenko, Hayes, Raymond, Ainger. Sturt: Kirkwood, McMahon, Gilfoy, Page, Martin.
GOALS — Eagles: Ainger 4, Hall, McGregor 2, Jarrad, Wundke, Borholm, Redden. Sturt: Beard 3, Greenslade, Hansen, Penfold, Crocker.
INJURIES — Eagles: Hall (hamstring). Sturt: F. Evans (leg).
UMPIRES — Medlin, Sobieraj, Hosking.
CROWD — 2677 at Maughan Thiem Hundai Oval, Woodville.