Australian Football

Match Report

Across to the eastern side of the city is where we're going next for the other Friday match for the night, the Redlegs taking on the Double Blues at the Coopers Stadium in Norwood. Their last encounter was one that well and truly got away from the Blues. In their Round 5 outing, the Blues burst from the blocks to kick seven goals to three in the opening term only to end up having their attackers running on fumes for the remainder of the game. They would score just three goals from 14 scoring shots as the Redlegs gradually reeled them back in to win by 15 points at Unley. The Blues came into this one with a win behind them, defeating the more fancied Panthers at home. The Redlegs on the other hand were handed a surprise 13-point defeat at the hands of the Bulldogs at Elizabeth. At this time the Double Blues were still a mathematical chance of finals football, despite being sixth. Same as the 'Legs in fifth, only one game out of the four on points. 

Both sides had troubles with accuracy to begin with, the Blues taking a two-goal lead into the first change after scoring 4.4 to 2.4. The Redlegs returned fire in the second term, but although they kept the Blues to just one behind, their continued inaccuracy resulted in a return of 2.7 to take a one-goal lead into the half-time break. The Redlegs were using the ball a lot more, doubling the Blues' mark count and laying a lot more tackles. It just didn't translate as such on the scoreboard with the Blues still well and truly in the game. Sturt would bring the game to level pegging come three quarter-time, outscoring Norwood 3.2 to 2.2 to tie the scores up at 49 points each. It was an all-out battle, the Redlegs opening the final term with two goals. Then Sturt kicked four of the next five goals to lead by a kick at the 16 minute mark. But the Redlegs, with their season on the line, finished the stronger outfit. After a trio of missed opportunities late in the term, one last major by the home side taking them to a three-point win. The Redlegs would name Ryan Bastinac as their best on field, with 29 disposals and laying 10 tackles. 

James Battersby is sure to be Sturt's best and fairest this season, again named their standout with 28 disposals and four tackles.