Sturt sisters Maya and Abbey Rigter set to take on Glenelg in live streamed SANFLW action

Sturt will hope to rise to the challenge of reigning SANFLW premier Glenelg this Saturday – live streamed here – and two sisters will be key to its chances.

The Rigter name has already made a mark at the Sturt Football Club and, if round one of the SANFLW season is anything to go by, its impact is only going to get greater.

Sisters Maya and Abbey Rigter pulled on the boots together for the first time in the Double Blues’ opening victory over Woodville-West Torrens last Saturday with the latter kicking two goals on debut.

Now the pair hope to continue Sturt’s winning start when they take on reigning premier Glenelg at Thebarton Oval this Saturday night.

The match will be live streamed by The Advertiser from 6pm, following on from last week’s round one broadcast.

Sturt SANFLW captain Maya Rigter (right) and younger sister Abbey, who made her Double Blues debut last weekend. Picture: Dean Martin

Maya – a talented defender and also a leader in her third season as Sturt captain at just 21 years of age – said it was a special moment to run onto present Abbey with her ‘Baggy Blue’ cap which is handed out to league debutants.

Due to the pair’s age gap they had previously never played a competitive match together.

“When she kicked her first goal I legged it from full back down to the other side of the field to give her a high-five, got there and was gassed and had to run off,” Maya said.

“It was a special day and a couple of goals to her name was great. We just played a really good team game as well and were happy to get a win on the board in round one.”

Abbey, 17, came through the junior ranks at Blackwood before joining the Double Blues senior program.

The sisters hope Sturt can add another win this Saturday when it takes on Glenelg with the game live streamed by The Advertiser. Picture: Dean Martin

She said Saturday’s debut – where Sturt prevailed 7.8 (50) to the Eagles’ 2.8 (20) – was “a dream come true” after forcing her way into the round one team through a big pre-season.

“It’s something I’ve been working towards for a long time, putting in a lot of effort and to have it pay off and with a win as well, it felt so good,” Abbey said.

“Maya’s been my role model since I started playing football. Having her there to talk me through everything on and off the field and be in the same team is amazing.”

Both Rigter sisters agreed the energy around the Sturt side this year was different to previous seasons as they aim to reach the SANFLW finals for the first time since joining the competition in 2018.

The Double Blues’ march towards that will face one of its toughest tests when they face the 2021 premier Tigers this Saturday.

Live coverage of the match from Thebarton Oval will be broadcast here from 6pm.