Sturt do away with Glenelg at the Bay with 43-point win
STURT showed its on-field future post-AFL Reserves looks bright when it out-muscled Glenelg by 43 points at the Bay last night.
STURT showed its on-field future post-AFL Reserves looks bright when it out-muscled Glenelg by 43 points at the Bay last night.
A young and largely homegrown Double Blues side absorbed a third-quarter Bay challenge and defied predictions it would be the worst affected local club after handing back a swag of players to the Crows over summer.
Veteran spearhead Matt Duldig had a night out at his former home bagging six majors, but a host of homegrown 21-25-year-olds showed they could be ready to emerge from the shadow of Crow-listed players at Unley.
Luke Crocker, John Greenslade, Jack Stephens, Tom Harms and Levi Krause all impacted the match at various times and could be ready to become consistent league performers.
Adding to optimism was the performance of former Port Magpies Zane Kirkwood (36 touches, nine clearances) in his Sturt debut and the form of ruckman Angus Kurtze (15 possessions 53 hit-outs). The pair worked beautifully in combination.
A new-look Bays outfit under incoming coach Nick Stevens left supporters frustrated although the squad needs to be given time to gel.
The Bays were jumped in the opening term after Dulgig bagged three opening term goals — the third the result of a gather, neat turn and long bomb from 60m.
The Tigers worked their way back into the contest over the course of two quarters and took the lead when Ruory Kirkby goaled at the 11 minute of the third term — but they made hard work of their attacking forays all night.
The opening quarter of the contest was full of intent from both midfields but largely scrappy.
Duldig’s three goals were partly answered by two majors from Andrew Hooper — both from advantage freekicks.
Most of the second term action occurred after the half-time siren, when a melee involving all 42 players broke out at the northern end of the ground.
It was more of a push and shove really, although Bays recruit Mitch Thorp and Sturt skipper Michael Coad both emerged bloodied.
The quarter itself was punctuated by a lack of precision from both sides going forward, as Sturt went to the break with a nine-point lead.
Glenelg made its move early in the third term but Kirkby’s goal to give the Tigers the lead would signal a moment change. Sturt’s industrious midfield and rebounding half-back line upped the ante and found Glenelg wanting.
Goals to Christian Calabrese and Duldig turned the momentum before Tom Harms capitalised on some undisciplined play from Josh Scott to goal from a free kick and back-to-back 25m penalties.
Duldig jagged two more final quarter goals before Krause iced the contest midway through the final term. Coad took an early mark of the year contender 23 minutes into the quarter and later snapped a brilliant goal.
Scoreboard
4.2 5.4 8.7 12.12 (84) def Glenelg 2.0 4.1 6.3 6.5 (41)
Goals — Sturt: Duldig 6, Krause, Coad 2, Calabrese Glenelg: Hooper 2, Muir, Thorp, Joseph, Kirkby. Best — Sturt: Kirkwood, Kurtz, Duldig, Coad, Stephens, Kane. Glenelg: Lonergan, Agnew, Joseph, Nicholson
Umpires: Andrew Crosby, Patrick, Lally, Sam Lowe
Crowd: 4500, Gliderol Stadium
Reserves
Sturt 4.2 9.5 13.9 14.11 (95) def Glenelg 2.8 5.11 7.15 11.15 (81)
GOALS — Sturt: Hurley, Vitkinas 3, Durdin, Matsen, Smith 2, Ward, Curnow. Glenelg: Pitt, McFarlane 3, Snook, Gamble, Bailey, Woodall, Johncock
BEST — Sturt: Wilson, Vitkinas, Watt, Stopp, Hurley, Wiech. Glenelg: McFarlane, Pitt, Earl, Carger, Woodall, Gamble