Sturt still unbeaten after 18-point win over Norwood at the Parade

STURT has claimed the prized scalp of Norwood to keep its unbeaten record intact after three rounds of the SANFL.

STURT has claimed the prized scalp of Norwood to keep its unbeaten record intact after three rounds of the SANFL.

The Double Blues held off a late flurry from the Redlegs to triumph by 18 points at The Parade on Thursday night and deservedly secure the two premiership points.

The Doubles Blues stretched their impressive form from the opening two rounds into Thursday night’s contest when they attacked the reigning premiers with a spirited, desperate effort.

Enthusiasm and relentless pressure were trademarks of their first two wins and that was again on show as they got in the face of the Redlegs.

Confronted with an opponent who refused back away from the challenge, the Redlegs struggled for cohesion and coughed up numerous mistakes.

And the Double Blues were only too happy to accept the early Easter presents. The Double Blues defence stood firm, quelling the Norwood attack and providing the springboard for confident attacking raids.

Not that the Redlegs attack was given too many opportunities to function as the side too often fumbled or dropped easy marks.

The Redlegs had 101 possessions in the first quarter compared to the Double Blues’ 58 but the majority were deep in defence.

Redlegs captain Kieran McGuinness was outstanding, shutting down a swag of dangerous situations.

Double Blues ruckman Angus Kurtze continued his brilliant form and the likes of Zane Kirkwood and Ben Kane fed off his work.

Norwood was restricted to just five behinds in the first quarter and the Double Blues added to the home side’s worries in the opening seconds of the second term with a superb team goal.

The Redlegs grabbed possession from the bounce but were swamped by the Double Blues, who then sped the ball forward for Michael Coad to mark and goal.

It took 15 minutes into the second quarter for the Redlegs to register their first goal when Josh Donohue finished off some scrambling work.

The Redlegs made their move in the third quarter, constantly on the attack and putting the Double Blues on the backfoot.

But the visitors responded and a terrific Ben Hansen goal gave them a handy 18-point buffer at the final change.

STURT 3.4 5.9 7.12 10.14 (74)

NORWOOD 0.5 2.8 4.12 7.14 (56)

BEST - Sturt: Kirkwood, Tambling, Beard, Kane, Calabrese, Coad, Kurtze. Norwood: McGuinness, Webber, Bampton, Jefferies, Baulderstone, Allan.

SCORERS - Sturt: Coad 3, Hansen 2, Kelly, Calabrese, Stephens, Kirkwood, Penfold. Norwood: Newton, Bartlett 2, C. Evans, Forster, Donohue.

UMPIRES - Avon, Schramm, Glouftsis.