Australian Football

Match Report

The Saturday arvo footy-fest continues as we go from the north side to the south side, to the leafy surrounds of Unley and into the Thomas Farms Oval where the Double Blues played the Bloods. The Blues have not dropped points to the Bloods since early 2016, winning the last 16 games. These are another two sides that haven't clashed this season, both games won by one straight kick. The Bloods blew it big time in Round 8 at Oxford Terrace, they were more efficient but not desperate like Sturt were, going from a goal down at the final change to four-point winners. Then in difficult conditions at Richmond in Round 12, they merely outlasted the Bloods to win by a goal. The Blues were given a fright at home by the Roosters last week but prevailed by two goals, while the Bloods saw out the mid-year period with a loss to the Tigers. The Unley deck was quite slippery, but there wasn't to be repeat of last year's slog and spoiler alert, no upsets here. The Bloods would manage a solitary point in the opening quarter, the Blues kicking to a 21-point first change lead after scoring 3.4. The second quarter was the only time that Westies put any kind of pressure on the Blues, chipping a goal off that gap by the long break with the last major of the half. The Bloods managed 2.2 to Sturt's 1.2, the deficit back to 15 points come half-time. The Bloods were reduced to being spectators in the third quarter, held scoreless while the home side added 3.3 to take their lead to six goals by three quarter-time. The Bloods had a little bit of a dominant period with the ball for most of the final quarter, they actually managed five scoring shots but only one of them finding their way through the big sticks and three were rushed through. That minor spark could definitely be classed as a "what could have been" as the Blues put the rubber stamp on it in the finish, kicking 3.1 to run out 45-point winners and extending the streak to 17 straight victories over the visitors. Will Snelling could be considered a big chance for the Magarey Medal this year, he was Sturt's best with 34 disposals, 12 tackles and nine clearances. Kobe Ryan is a likely chance for the Bloods' B&F, he finidhed with 20 disposals, 16 tackles and six clearances.