Sturt edge out South Adelaide to move closer to top three spot
STURT moved a step closer to a rich prize after overcoming South Adelaide in a tight battle at Noarlunga Oval.
THE significance of Sturt’s hard-fought 13-point victory over South Adelaide at Hickinbotham Oval on Sunday is reflected on the ladder.
With just two rounds remaining, third-placed Double Blues have climbed a game plus percentage above North Adelaide. This win was crucial.
Just as the loss is a concern for the Panthers as they hang onto fifth spot. Percentage could be their saviour, as they are two games above Glenelg and West Adelaide, but with a vastly superior for and against record.
But as Panthers coach Jarrad Wright noted, the effort shows his side has what it takes to challenge the top outfits.
And that is why Double Blues coach Marty Mattner was satisfied with the victory. In fact, he described it as one of the best wins for the season.
“It was a very good win, on their home deck and they have been playing good footy for the past month,” Mattner said.
“It was a tough game and finals sort of footy. And that is what we like playing.”
The Panthers, led by Nick Liddle, were hungry for the contest early and they took the fight to the Double Blues from the outset.
However, that momentum was not evident on the scoreboard and they were punished when Jake Sutcliffe nailed the Double Blues’ first goal after the quarter-time siren to cut the margin to just five points.
The Double Blues’ execution early was clumsy and turnovers were a concern. In the second term though, they started to win more contested ball with tough onballer Aidan Riley heavily involved.
Eleven minutes into the second term scores were level after Sutcliffe finished a skilful raid. They were never headed again, although they were forced to withstand a spirited rival.
Both teams had their moments of control and there was no lack of passion and courage. Finding willing participants in a tight battle was not an issue as they fought an intriguing contest.
“Our best is good enough,” Wright said. “Sturt is a quality pressure team and the scores from turnovers was the difference. The stats showed we were in the game. We just could not quite connect on some offensive movements.”
SCOREBOARD
STURT 1.3 5.4 8.5 11.6 (72)
SOUTH ADELAIDE 2.2 5.4 6.7 8.11 (59)
BEST - Sturt: Riley, Stephens, Crocker, Read, Harms, F. Evans. South: Liddle, Haines, Summerton, Whittlesea, Cross.
GOALS - Sturt: Sutcliffe 3, Osborn, Read, Riley, Munn, M. Evans, Hone, McAdam, Dodd. South: Kreuger 2, Whittlesea, Aurrichio, Cross, Fields, Fitt, Liddle.
INJURIES - South: Kappler (ankle).
UMPIRES - Broadbent, Harris, Crosby.
CROWD - 2048 at Hickinbotham Oval, Noarlunga.
