Australian Football

Match Report

Game number three for the weekend takes us to the other side of town, to the inner south and into the Unley Oval where the Double Blues faced fellow affluents the Redlegs. The Blues weren't able to put one over the 'Legs last season, dropping both games. In Round 5, they blew a four-goal quarter-time lead and were outscored two goals to seven in the second half to go down by 15 points at Oxford Terrace. The Redlegs almost stuffed it themselves in the return game at The Parade, but held on for a three-point win in Round 12. In that game, Norwood were down by two goals at quarter-time. They made up that deficit in the second, but a run of missed opportunities allowed Sturt to stay within strike. It was even-steven by the final change, but a trio of behinds allowed them to escape with the points. The Redlegs made an example out of the Magpies last week, while the Blues' poor final term cost them dearly against the premiers at Woodville. 

This game had the best crowd for the week with just over 2900 turning out, the Redlegs starting proceedings with a 5.2 to 2.3 opening quarter to go up by 17 points at the first change. Momentum swung the other way in the second term, the Blues returning fire to bring the gap back to a single straight shot by the break. Sturt scored 3.2 to the Redlegs' 1.1, the visitors' lead cut down to four points come half-time. The see-sawing continued into the second half when play restarted, this time the Redlegs restricted the Blues to a single behind whilst kicking 3.1 for themselves in the third quarter. At the last change, Norwood were back out to a 22-point lead. The game ended up an arm-wrestle in the final term, neither side willing to give an inch. But the 'Legs had all the miles they needed and Sturt were unable to make up the ground already lost. Norwood won by 21 points in the end, scoring 1.2 to 1.3 to finish the afternoon's proceedings. 

Michael Knoll ruled the ruck for the Redlegs, he was named their best with 41 hit-outs and 18 disposals. James Battersby was again Sturt's best, with 25 disposals and six tackles.