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Record-breaking Sturt setting hot pace in SANFL 2025 season as dour defenders become excitement machines

There is an incredible story unfolding in the SANFL this season as Sturt continues on its history-making and record-breaking winning ways. Andrew Capel unpacks how it’s happened.

Record-breaking Sturt has gone from a dour defensive unit to the SANFL’s version of the Harlem Globetrotters.

In a remarkable transformation, the white-hot Double Blues have lit up the scoreboard on the way to etching their name into the SANFL record books by becoming the first team to win 25 consecutive minor round games in the league’s 148-year history.

Sturt broke Port Adelaide’s longstanding record of 24 straight regular season wins in spectacular fashion last Saturday, demolishing North Adelaide on its home turf at Unley Oval by a whopping 115 points.

The win streak, which started in round six last season, saw the Blues claim the record from the Magpies’ 1913-15 teams, which included its famous, unbeaten 1914 ‘Invincibles’ side.

After losing to Woodville-West Torrens on May 5 last year, Sturt won its last 13 minor round games of the season and first 12 this year.

Amazingly, it hasn’t lost a minor round match for 432 days.

While the wins – and big scores – are piling up, there is little sense of achievement inside the inner sanctum at Unley as the pain from last year’s shock straight sets finals exit still burns.

The club is on a mission and being driven by an insatiable appetite for redemption.

Sturt’s statistical numbers this year are frightening for its rivals and illustrate just how coach Martin Mattner’s well-drilled outfit has evolved.

The Blues, who had been renowned for their defensive prowess, averaged only 74 points a game during last year’s minor round, when they finished second behind Norwood with a 15-3 win-loss record.

They paid a price for their lack of scoring in the finals, managing only 39 and 58 points respectively in losses to Central District and eventual premier Glenelg.

Sturt's Kobe McEntee is congratulated by teammates after kicking a goal against Glenelg in Round 10. Picture: Cory Sutton/SANFL
Sturt's Kobe McEntee is congratulated by teammates after kicking a goal against Glenelg in Round 10. Picture: Cory Sutton/SANFL

In the off-season, Mattner vowed to try to solve his side’s scoring woes, saying “our offence is an area we need to improve’’.

Fast forward a few months and Sturt has not only improved its scoring, it is producing scenes arguably not seen at Unley Oval since the halcyon days of 1983 when it averaged 159 points at the ground.

In the past two weeks, the Blues, producing some breathtaking footy, have piled on 159 points against the Eagles and 163 against the Roosters to become the first side since South Adelaide in 2006 to reach the 150-point mark in consecutive weeks.

Double Blues forward Oliver Grivell celebrates a goal against Adelaide in Round 7. Picture: Mark Brake
Double Blues forward Oliver Grivell celebrates a goal against Adelaide in Round 7. Picture: Mark Brake
Sturt small forward Josh Hone after booting one of his three goals against the Crows at Unley Oval in Round 7. Picture: Mark Brake
Sturt small forward Josh Hone after booting one of his three goals against the Crows at Unley Oval in Round 7. Picture: Mark Brake

They also are the first team since Central District in 2005 to win consecutive games by more than 100 points, having thrashed the Eagles by 124 and Roosters by 115.

Sturt keeps etching its name into the history books this season, with its first half against Woodville-West Torrens so dominant that it became only the second team in the past 30 years to keep the opposition goalless at halftime while scoring over 100 points.

At the long break, the Blues led 16.9 (105) to 0.2 (2).

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Their results highlight their ruthlessness as they chase the flag that has eluded them since Mattner led them to back-to-back premierships in 2016-17.

Sturt, beaten grand finalist in 2023, has become the highest scoring team in the competition, with its home-and-away average skyrocketing by 26 points to 100 this season.

It has had five players boot 15 or more goals – small forwards Josh Hone (26) and Sam Conforti (22), key forwards Connor McFadyen (19) and Oliver Grivell (17) and utility Tom Emmett (15) – highlighting how it is sharing the load.

Against North, the Blues had eight multiple goalkickers and 11 goalkickers overall.

Sturt coach Martin Mattner addresses his troops. Picture: Cory Sutton/SANFL
Sturt coach Martin Mattner addresses his troops. Picture: Cory Sutton/SANFL

“That’s where we’re at at the moment, we’re not relying on one or two players to kick our goals,’’ said Mattner, noting his side is still strong defensively, conceding only 56 points a game (seven more than last year).

“We knew we had to score more, 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.’’

As thrilled as Mattner is with Sturt’s perfect start to the season – with a three-win buffer over nearest rivals Glenelg and Adelaide the minor premiership is all but sewn up with six rounds remaining – he stressed the club is focused on the “bigger picture’’ after bombing out of last year’s finals.

“It’s nice to keep ticking boxes and have these achievements along the way, but our group is looking at a bigger picture of where we want to go,’’ he said.

“I think our group now understands that it means nothing to do so well in home-and-away games without finals success.’’

Originally published as Record-breaking Sturt setting hot pace in SANFL 2025 season as dour defenders become excitement machines

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Original URL: https://www.ntnews.com.au/sport/recordbreaking-sturt-setting-hot-pace-in-sanfl-2025-season-as-dour-defenders-become-excitement-machines/news-story/e308525a02864a6a1062410f59b650ba