SANFL live stream: Patrick Wilson repaying the faith at Sturt ahead of clash with Crows

Abe Davis kicked six goals as Sturt put on a perfect display of wet-weather footy to dispose of SANFL rivals Adelaide. RELIVE all the action from our LIVESTREAM.

Sturt defied driving rain, wind and slippery conditions to win the battle of the top four SANFL sides against Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.

The Doubles Blues led by double figures at every change and eventually won by 21 points, 11.10 (76) to 8.7 (55). They are now guaranteed of at least a top three position at the end of the round.

Abe Davis was the star of the show for the victors with six goals, including three pivotal strikes early in the second quarter.

Both teams put up a strong show in terrible conditions

Abe Davis was the star of the show

Earlier, Sturt turned on the style to power past bottom club Central and maintain their lofty standing on the U18 SANFL standings.After a dominant first half, the result was never in doubt as Sturt gave their percentages a real boost

The margin at the end was 90 points as Sturt won 19.9 (123) to 5.3 (33)

South Adelaide have opened up a huge day of SANFL livestreaming with a comfortable win over Woodville-West Torrens in an entertaining U16 clash.

South Adelaide led 39-16 at halftime and kicked first two goals of the third quarter to effectively  put the game beyond doubt

Woodville fought hard in the final quarter and did well to narrow the deficit to 22 points in the end, 64-42.

PREVIEW: Sturt star has point to prove

Patrick Wilson felt that he had let Sturt down.The Double Blues’ prized 2021 recruit had returned home after three years on Adelaide’s AFL list determined to help the club become a power again after it missed the finals the previous year.

But his season lasted less than 30 minutes.

After missing the opening two rounds after dislocating his right shoulder in a pre-season trial game, Wilson – with his shoulder heavily strapped – started in spectacular fashion against West Adelaide at Unley Oval.

Patrick Wilson and Sturt will face Adelaide in an important SANFL clash on Saturday, which will be live streamed by The Advertiser. Picture: Emma Brasier

The big-bodied, 189cm midfielder had lit up the stats sheet with eight disposals, four clearances and a goal in the first term before having his arm knocked back in a marking contest, resulting in his shoulder again popping out of its socket.

Realising the severity of his second injury – and having previously undergone a left shoulder reconstruction – Wilson immediately knew his season was over.

“It was super frustrating because I felt I had let a lot of people down at Sturt,’’ the 27-year-old said.

“I had returned to the club with the hope of making a difference and to pretty much sit out the whole year was a tough pill to swallow.’’

The Double Blues were rocked by Wilson’s injury, as well as losing two players in the AFL mid-season draft, and fell to 2-7 before winning seven of their last nine games to just miss the finals.

Wilson took the club’s failure to play finals personally.

“It definitely spurred me on,’’ he said.

“Last year didn’t go to plan at all, so I really knuckled down with my rehab, trained harder than ever and couldn’t wait for this season to start because there was a lot of unfinished business.’’

Wilson – a member of Sturt’s 2017 premiership team – hit the ground running.

Patrick Wilson in action for former club Adelaide in 2019. Picture: Sarah Reed

Wilson wrestles with Port Adelaide’s Taj Schofield earlier this season. Picture: Matt Loxton

After eight rounds, he has surged into Magarey Medal calculations, having averaged 25 disposals, five marks, six clearances and six tackles while kicking 10 goals for coach Martin Mattner’s outfit, which sits fourth with a 5-3 record.

Wilson rates his impact as even greater than at the Crows in 2019 when he finished runner-up for the medal behind Glenelg’s Luke Partington.

“I probably had more disposals at Adelaide that year but I feel that I’m playing better team footy now,’’ he said.

“When you’re an AFL-listed player you’re focused on getting the ball to push for AFL selection but now it’s more about playing my role for the team.

“This year that has been to start in the middle but try to get forward more to impact the scoreboard, be more impactful with my disposals rather than just be an accumulator.’’

Wilson, whose mum Conny is chief executive of West, is considered unlucky to have played only two AFL games for Adelaide – both at the MCG, against Hawthorn in 2018 and Carlton in 2019 – after dominant SANFL form.

Patrick Wilson at Unley Oval this week. Picture: Emma Brasier

“Obviously I would have loved to have played more AFL games and think I probably could have done that,’’ he said.

“But I look back on my time in the system with very fond memories and I'm proud to be able to say that I have played AFL.’’

Despite his age, Wilson hasn’t given up hope of playing at the highest level again, although he knows it is a longshot.

“I still feel that I could play at that level and performing well in a strong competition like the SANFL always gives you that hope,’’ he said.

“But it’s not at the front of my mind. My focus is on winning another premiership with Sturt.’’

Wilson will lock horns with his former club at Adelaide Oval on Saturday when the Double Blues take on the Crows at 4.30pm in a rare double-header.

The match will follow the AFL clash between Adelaide and West Coast.

“Playing against AFL-listed players is always a good challenge,’’ Wilson said.

“The AFL squads might have better individual players but SANFL players pride themselves on playing better team footy.’’

The match will be live streamed here by The Advertiser from 4.15pm on Saturday – one of three SANFL clashes broadcast by The Advertiser.

South Adelaide and the Eagles will kick the triple-header off in the under-16s at 11am, followed by Central District and Sturt in the under-18s at 1.15pm.