Australian Football

Match Report

The footballing weekend extended into the Sunday afternoon and brought some renewed hostilities between two old enemies at the Alberton Oval when the Magpies took on the Double Blues. The Magpies weren't having any luck against the Blues last season, losing both games in Round 11 and 17. The 'Pies hit the board first at Alberton, but were then overrun by the hungrier Blues outfit that left the Queen Street nest with a 41-point win. Then at Unley later in the year, the Blues withstood a final term comeback after almost giving up a 40-point advantage to win by four goals. Try as they did, the Magpies couldn't put one over chief rivals Norwood at The Parade last week, but the Blues were three-goal winners down at Noarlunga. COVID health and safety protocols saw a trio of late withdrawals from the Blues this week, that was in addition to another three earlier in the week. 

The impact of those omissions would hurt the Blues somewhat, but would be in the lead come quarter-time after an arm-wrestle contest opened proceedings. A late goal to Sturt would see them up by two points with the scoreboard reading 2.3 to 2.1. A pair of missed shots by the Magpies would allow the Blues to stay in front at the long break, their lead extended to a pair of straight shots. Port kicked 2.4 to Sturt's 3.1 as the deficit reached nine points for the visitors, but not before a pitch invader bore the wrath of a Magpie and then security. The shoe was definitely on the other foot when play resumed, suddenly it was the Blues finding it hard to put the Burley through their big sticks as they scored 1.3 in the third term. The Magpies made more of their chances this time, going into the final quarter with a goal's lead after scoring 3.2. The depleted Blues, however, found another gear in the final term. They would hold the home side to just one behind whilst scoring 3.2 for themselves re-take the lead and consequently, the ball game by 13 points. 

Patrick Wilson was once again named Sturt's best, with 32 disposals, eight tackles and six clearances. The Magpies voted in Xavier Duursma with 27 disposals, six tackles and five clearances.