Unbeaten Sturt is one win away from equalling a longstanding SANFL record

Unbeaten Sturt is on the verge of equalling a remarkable SANFL record that has stood for more than a century, writes Andrew Capel.

Sturt Football Club is on the verge of a remarkable slice of SANFL history.

If the high-flying Double Blues beat Woodville-West Torrens at Unley Oval on Saturday they will equal Port Adelaide’s longstanding record for the most consecutive minor round wins in the competition’s 148 years.

Sitting top this season with a perfect 10-0 record, Sturt has won 23 straight home-and-away games, dating back to round six last year.

It hasn’t lost a minor round match since falling to this week’s opponent, the Eagles, by eight points in round five last season, winning its last 13 games of the campaign and first 10 this year.

Port holds the record for the most consecutive home-and-away victories, with 24 from 1913-15.

The Magpies then had a draw, followed by another win, giving them a 26-match unbeaten streak.

But 24 straight wins is the record Sturt is chasing after it came from two goals behind in the last quarter to down back-to-back premier Glenelg by 20 points at the Bay last Sunday, kicking six of the last seven goals.

Sturt players celebrate their stunning come-from-behind win against Norwood at Unley Oval in round nine. Picture: David Mariuz/SANFL

Double Blues forward Oliver Grivell celebrates a goal against the Crows in round seven. Picture: Mark Brake

In the previous round, the Double Blues trailed Norwood by 15 points in time-on in the final quarter before booting three late goals to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

Sturt coach Martin Mattner said that while his club’s long minor round winning streak is meritorious, the club is focused on the big picture of winning a premiership and atoning for last year’s shocking straight sets finals exit.

Squeezed in between the Blues’ 13 wins to end last year’s minor round and the first 10 this year were finals losses to Central District (by 11 points) and eventual premier Glenelg (31 points) after Mattner’s outfit led at three-quarter time in both clashes.

“Winning so many minor round games in a row is a big achievement but with the finals (results) thrown in there, it doesn’t mean too much to us,’’ Mattner said.

“That’s the thing about it. People say that we’ve won 10 this year and 23 in a row overall, but I think our group now understands that it means nothing to do so well in home-and-away games without finals success.

“So that’s what we’re trying to do, get better and evolve our game so that come finals we are better equipped to play on bigger decks against different opposition.’’

Sturt used its finals pain from last year to drive it during the off-season, while signing key midfield recruits and former AFL players Tom Emmett, Mitch Crowden and Martin Frederick to add some more speed, class and X-factor to its group.

Its unbeaten start to the campaign has come despite suffering injuries to key players, which illustrates its strong depth.

Sturt coach Martin Mattner addresses his players during the round 10 clash against Glenelg. Picture: Cory Sutton/SANFL

Crowden was lost for the season after round six after he suffered a serious knee injury, while veteran captain and on-ball playmaker James Battersby hasn’t played since round two because of knee and calf injuries.

“Our depth’s good and we haven’t had to risk injured guys this season because of our (ladder) position,’’ said Mattner, who coached the club to flags in 2016-17.

“Players like Nick Sadler, Alex Holt, Luca Slade, Kobe McEntee and Hugo Kittel have all been able to come into the side and play their role.
“That’s the other pleasing part of this year, that we’ve been able to have a look at a different group of players who we now know can come into the team at any time and play their role for the team.’’

The Double Blues, who lost the 2023 grand final to the Tigers before finishing second in the minor round last year with a 15-3 record before bombing out of the finals, have one hand on this year’s minor premiership as they sit three wins clear of second and third-placed Glenelg and Adelaide.

“What’s been most impressive this season is the way we’ve gone about our footy, the results have taken care of themselves from that,’’ Mattner said.

“We weren’t good enough last year and, until we play finals again we won’t know how much better we are, but at the moment we’re seeing improvement in a lot of areas that we identified we needed to get better at.’’