Sturt downs West Adelaide by 19 points at Richmond Oval to record third-straight SANFL victory

STURT’S mid-season revival has continued as it edged out West Adelaide by 19 points in a scrappy contest to record its third-straight win and move to the verge of the SANFL top five.

STURT’S mid-season revival has continued as it edged out West Adelaide to record its third-straight win and move to the verge of the SANFL top five.

A four-goal-to-two third-term set-up the 19-point victory for the Double Blues at Richmond Oval on Friday night after they trailed by 11 at quarter-time in a scrappy contest.

Two fourth-quarter majors by Jono Beech (four goals) got the Bloods back to within a pair of straight kicks late in the contest.

But Josh Hone goaled in fourth-term time-on to ensure the visitors were not made to pay for their inaccuracy in the 9.18 (72) to 8.5 (53) triumph.

The hard-fought success highlighted Sturt’s return to form after it won just one of its opening four matches this campaign.

Dual Magarey Medallist Zane Kirkwood (35 disposals), Sam Colquhoun (30) and James Battersby (29) shone for the Double Blues who moved to a 4-3 record.

Sturt's Josh Patullo takes a high-flying mark in the Double Blues’ victory over West Adelaide at Richmond Oval. Picture: Brenton Edwards

For the Bloods (1-5) it was a third demise on the bounce as Gavin Colville’s men lost more ground on the competition pace-setters.

But it started brightly for West, which reaped the rewards for moving the ball more cleanly and using it more intelligently to take a handy lead to the first break.

Isaac Johnson, with a set shot from 35m, and Gibson Turner, with a quick-fire snap, hit the board early as the Bloods got off to a promising start.

By contrast, the Double Blues kicked five straight behinds in a sloppy opening, before Jake Sutcliffe finally got their maiden major in the 24th minute of the first quarter.

Beech converted after a high-flying mark to press home West’s advantage.

Sturt lifted its intensity without the ball to storm back and gain a one-goal half-time buffer.

Josh Hone gets a handball away for Sturt as he is tackled by West Adelaide’s Elliot Dunkin. Picture: Brenton Edwards

A brilliant grab in the goal square allowed Beech to boot his second for West in the second term.

But it was all Double Blues after that, as Mark Evans and Sutcliffe, from a tricky angle on the run, added back-to-back majors within a minute.

A brave Hone mark and conversion from 20m put the away side in front for the first time.

Sturt flexed its muscle in the premiership quarter to hold a commanding 21-point advantage as the sides turned for home.

Mark Evans grabbed his second, before Dallas Willsmore kept the Bloods in the contest with a composed kick.

Three majors in a five-minute spell put Sturt in the box seat as Battersby, Ben Hansen and Steven Slimming, after a jinking run inside, hit the target.

Gibson Turner kicked an early goal for West Adelaide in its loss to Sturt. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Lyndon Hupfeld produced a booming kick in time-on to give West a glimmer of hope.

Beech kicked his third in the opening minute of the final period and added another midway through the term to keep the Bloods in the hunt.

But Hone’s major at the death ensured the Doubles Blues stood firm to earn the points.

SCOREBOARD

STURT 1.5 4.10 8.14 9.18 (72)

WEST ADELAIDE 3.4 4.4 6.5 8.5 (53)

BEST – Sturt: Kirkwood, Colquhoun, F. Evans, Battersby, Crocker, M. Evans. West: Snelling, Beech, Stevens, Willsmore, Keough.

GOALS – Sturt: Sutcliffe, M. Evans, Hone 2, Battersby, Hansen, Slimming. West: Beech 4, Johnson, G. Turner, Willsmore, Hupfeld.

INJURIES – Sturt: Harms (elbow).

UMPIRES – Broadbent, Philp, Lewis.

CROWD – 2062 at Richmond Oval.