Australian Football

Match Report

First up its the Elimination Final encounter between Woodville-West Torrens and Sturt. The Eagles have been a regular feature in finals football for the last decade as have the Double Blues. But finals success has been few and far between, with both laying claim to one premiership each in that 10 year span. The Double Blues claimed the big prize in 2002, the Eagles capturing the 2006 title... both victories coming over the Bulldogs. A sense of deja vu would no doubt have crept over the fans for this match, it was only last week that the Blues launched a successful raid on the sodden, boggy Woodville Oval to seal their finals spot. But unlike that match, there was no mucky pitch and the accuracy had improved... for the Eagles.

The 2006 premiers got the jump on the Blues early in a stunning turnaround of form since that final round loss, taking a four point lead at quarter-time after kicking 3.1 to 2.3. The inaccuracy of the Blues this time would not be a saving grace, instead their worst nightmare would be played out from here on end.

The Eagles would boot home a game-breaking 6.2 to the Blues lowly 1.3 to stretch their advantage out to 33 points by the long break, but the punishment wouldn't be stopped there. With their Round 23 loss firmly in their minds, the Eagles were out for blood. With Sturt's big names not having any real impact, the Eagles would add 3.4 to 1.4 in the third quarter to extend the gap to 45 points at the final change. It would be a sad end for Sturt's season, the Eagles nailing the Blues 2010 coffin shut with a final quarter score of 5.7 to two goals. In the end the Eagles would run out 70-point winners, booking themselves a 1st Semi-Final berth.

Luke Powell was named best on ground, while Tristan Gum took best afield votes for the Blues. This loss also brought with it an end to the careers of 2002 premiership players Toby Thurstans and Ben Nelson. See you next year Sturt.