Watch the replay: South Adelaide takes on Sturt in Round 7 Hostplus SANFLW League Advertiser live stream

A South Adelaide gun has racked up huge numbers as she led her team to an important victory over Sturt. Watch the full SANFLW replay here.

Former Adelaide Crow Nicole Campbell has compiled a massive game to lead South Adelaide to a key victory over top-four SANFLW rivals Sturt on Saturday night.

Campbell racked up 31 touches, 18 tackles, four clearances and a goal as the Panthers proved too good for the Double Blues, prevailing by 19 points at Flinders University Stadium.

South held controll of the match for the majority of the night as it stifled Sturt in the first half to hold the visitors scoreless and take a three-goal lead into the main break.

WATCH THE FULL REPLAY IN THE PLAYER ABOVE

South’s Nicole Campbell, pictured in a previous match, starred on Saturday night. Picture: AAP/Brenton Edwards

While the Double Blues fought back after half-time, the damage was already done as the Panthers saluted 5.2 (32) to 2.1 (13) and recorded their third win on the trot.

Assisting the impressive Campbell were Jess Waterhouse, Jasslyne Smith and Tahlita Buethke.

For Sturt, it made for a second-straight defeat after beginning the season 5-0.

First-year forward Abbey Rigter kicked all of the Double Blues’ 2.1 score while Georgia Bevan (24 disposals) put in a typically hard-nosed display.

Sturt will hope to get back on track next week against bottom-placed West Adelaide.

South meanwhile will be at home again to face Central District.

PREVIEW: THE SECRET BEHIND SURPISE PACKET STURT

Sturt’s remarkable rise from battler to top of the SANFLW ladder is not an overnight sensation, according to coach Michael O’Connor.

Some might think it started with the Double Blues shocking reigning premier Glenelg in round two, others may believe it began with consecutive victories the following two weeks against competition powerhouses North and West Adelaide.

But O’Connor, in his first season as Sturt coach, said the rise was one much longer in the making.

WATCH STURT v SOUTH LIVE FROM 6PM SATURDAY IN THE PLAYER ABOVE

Sturt coach Michael O'Connor and captain Maya Rigter. The Double Blues have plenty to smile about and are top of the SANFLW ladder after six rounds. Picture: SANFL

“We haven’t made finals and that was obviously the goal coming into this year,” O’Connor said.

“The last couple of years we’ve made some steps internally with how we were playing but we just didn’t get the results on the scoreboard.

“But we’ve known we had taken those steps forward and last year – I think it was five games we lost by under a kick that we lost – didn’t really reflect where we knew we were at.”

The Double Blues surprised the competition by streaking to five straight wins to start the season, largely thanks to an increase in their scoring power while still retaining their trademark defensive toughness.

And even though their red-hot momentum was somewhat slowed by a one-goal loss to Central District last time out, last season’s seventh-placed side have already matched their combined win total from the previous two seasons.

Now they will look to bounce back this Saturday night when they travel to Flinders University Stadium to take on fourth-placed South Adelaide.

The match will be live streamed here on The Advertiser website from 6pm.

Sturt players Amy Brookes-Birve and Ally Ladas celebrate a goal against Norwood in round five. Picture: Scott Starkey

While his side’s improvement has still been of some surprise, O’Connor said the Double Blues were comfortable with quickly moving from underdogs to having a target on their backs.

“If you had have said at the start of the year we would be 5-0 or 5-1 at the turn, we certainly would have taken that,” he said.

“You always have confidence going in to the season … but it’s not until you face those top sides that you really know.

“The progression has really come from those who have now been in the system two, three, four years and as a collective they’ve taken the next step. Plus we’ve still got some great young players coming in and stepping up to the task.”

Sturt received the equal-most selections in this week’s SA State Under-18 Girls Squad announcement with five – Millie McCarthy, Kiera Mueller, India Rasheed, Tahlia Walker and Lily Whitcombe – showing the talent is progressing through the ranks nicely at Unley Oval.

The Double Blues and Panthers – winners of their past two games – will clash from 6pm on Saturday night.

Catch all the action live here broadcast on The Advertiser website.