Australian Football

Match Report

There was just the one Saturday afternoon game for the weekend, which takes us to the inner southern suburb of Unley and into the Wigan Oval where the Double Blues took on the Bulldogs. The Blues took all the points from their 2022 games, only barely escaping the Dogs' grasp at Elizabeth by four points in Round 15, but at Oxford Terrace the Blues smashed the Bulldogs from pillar to post by 98 points in Round 6. That early season match was over by half-time as the Blues held a nine-kick lead, but then piled on the pain with a further 11 goals to three in the second half. Obviously there was massive improvement from Centrals come the later game, but their goal-kicking let them down with a final quarter return of 2.5 to Sturt's single major. Both sides were victorious last week, with the Blues taking down Port by seven kicks on the back of a six goal to one second term, while the Bulldogs hung tough against Adelaide with a last-gasp free kick and goal giving them a four-point win. The sun was out so conditions were pretty good and the game was physical as it gets and the change in the Bulldogs mentality from last year was evident, kicking the opening three before the Blues got one of their own. With a few missed chances thrown in, the Dogs held a two-goal lead at the first change, the board reading 3.3 to 1.3. The Blues fell behind a little in the second term, fluffing more shots on goal while the Dogs were able to get out to a 22-point lead just before added time after scoring three goals without a miss to Sturt's 1.2. But that gap was back to 15 by the long break, the Blues managing a further 1.1 in time-on. The Blues came out in the second half a different mob, but the Dogs weren't giving up the fight despite the inaccuracy bug jumping camps. The home side were winning a few more clearances from here and would keep the Bulldogs away from the big sticks for a large portion of the third term. By the final change, the deficit was down to four points, the Blues adding 3.2 to 1.3. Two of Centrals' points came at a time when they could have been ahead by three kicks. The final term was a shootout and arm wrestling contest, the lead changing on five occasions. Unfortunately for the visitors, the Blues would come out on top in the end, scoring 3.1 to two goals to win by three points. Both coaches were pleased with their respective teams endeavour, including Central coach Paul Thomas, whose side turned around a massive gap from their previous visit to Unley. Tom Lewis was absolute best all-round for the Blues, with 26 disposals, 15 tackles and 14 clearances. The Bulldogs named Jez McLennan as their best afield, with 23 disposals, five tackles and four marks.