RD10 Sturt v Centrals MATCH REVIEW

[csbowes]

This was a performance riddled with moments epitomising class and determination. Sturt should be extremely proud of their performance today, as before the match everyone was expecting this to be an out and out arm wrestle. But gee were we wrong, after a pretty even first term where Sturt started well and got a few goals up, but Centrals fought back to even it up, it was completely one way traffic after that and that second term said a lot about these two sides on the day.

I was expecting Centrals, who finished the first term better, to throw down the gauntlet in the second term and attempt to overrun Sturt and take the lead at the long break, but to my amazement, Sturt just absolutely anhiliated Centrals kicking 7.5 to 0.0 for the quarter and comprehensively ending the match as a contest. Centrals tried hard in the third term, but it was an arm wrestle for a while before Sturt ended up adding another 3 goals or so to 1.

In the last, more of the same, Sturt just too quick, too classy, too strong, too dedicated. I don't want to simply praise Sturt and criticise the Bulldogs, obviously they can play better, but I think the scoreboard shows Sturt deserve the acolades today.

Its just one game of 20, but I think no one can doubt that Sturt are a genuine premiership contender this year and maybe they're a chance to make up for a disasterous finals campaign in 2008.

[csbowes]

I'm going to go out on a limb here and pick Sturt by over 100 points! I think my record as an expert coach in AFL DreamTeam (despite my 1-6 win/loss record at present, just easing into the season folks) says I should be on the money...

This was me earlier in the week... surely this REMOVES all doubts... I truly know what I'm talking about...

But they didn't win by over 100 points .. you were wrong!!!

When you go out on a limb like that... a small, twig like limb upon which you put the weight of your entire football credibility, I think picking over 100 points and winning by 85 points, puts me 85% of the way towards football genius!

[purch]

How many points did Chambo kick today ?????????????????????????????
There is a good reason Im asking why
I gotta feeling the Westoff goal in the last qtr saved CD some embarrasment

Hey spelly, could you post a Chambers + all other clubs "premiership table"? Might be interesting

[am Bays]

But dont write off the Bullys
I recall seeing a game at Adelaide Oval not so long ago when GL annihilated CD early in the season
CD won the flag that year

Don't tell the Eagles fans that Centrals won in 2006 too, mal....

[am Bays]

How many points did Chambo kick today ?????????????????????????????
There is a good reason Im asking why
I gotta feeling the Westoff goal in the last qtr saved CD some embarrasment

Hey spelly, could you post a Chambers + all other clubs "premiership table"? Might be interesting

yep looking forward to his "premiership table" v the Bays... especially recently (2002-2005 could be for us)

[harley d]

I heard Smith got reported for allegedly wiping blood on Gowans and forced him off too !

[purch]

How Gowans didn't get reported for punching Nick Smith in the nose with the umpire looking straight at the, God only knows... familiar story?

In that case I wouldn't be surprised if he DID get reported. The incident I saw (and referred to in my last post) also invloved Smith...and the book definately came out.

Funny really, at half time in the crowd we were discussing which Sturt player was most likely to be the first to get thumped behind the play by Gowans at the restart (cos we know they are both such sore losers)

Im pretty sure it was one of Smith or Sheedy that got reported because Centrals ended up getting a 25m penalty after the incident.

A 25m penalty is not given though these days after a report IIRC. Centrals already had the ball 40m away. Are you sure the 25 wasn't given for a completely unrelated, "onball" incident??

[Heart2Heart]

How Gowans didn't get reported for punching Nick Smith in the nose with the umpire looking straight at the, God only knows... familiar story?

In that case I wouldn't be surprised if he DID get reported. The incident I saw (and referred to in my last post) also invloved Smith...and the book definately came out.

Funny really, at half time in the crowd we were discussing which Sturt player was most likely to be the first to get thumped behind the play by Gowans at the restart (cos we know they are both such sore losers)

Im pretty sure it was one of Smith or Sheedy that got reported because Centrals ended up getting a 25m penalty after the incident.

A 25m penalty is not given though these days after a report IIRC. Centrals already had the ball 40m away. Are you sure the 25 wasn't given for a completely unrelated, "onball" incident??

a 25m is given if the report is after a free kick that has already been paid like it had in this instance. The reporting umpire clearly told the controlling umpire that it was a 25m for a report too.

[Adelaide Hawk]

I heard Smith got reported for allegedly wiping blood on Gowans and forced him off too !

Yes, I heard he did that, but no mention of a report. I actually noticed Smith in last week's game against Norwood and he certainly seems to enjoy getting up the noses of oposition players.

[Grahaml]

The report was for wiping blood on Chris Gowans guernsey. Given the umpire was right there I think the kid's in trouble. Just a question of the penalty IMHO. AFL would give him a holiday, SANFL may or may not think it's terribly serious. Hard to read what they'll do I think.

The dogs were just terrible today. Losing J. Gowans (massive corky) and Sibenaler (hamstring) didn't help, especially when Hardy went down later and Griffin's carrying an injury! But there's still another 17 blokes who were beaten to the ball, couldn't keep possession of the ball and couldn't get it off their opponents. Sturt will be happy with the win, and the margin will look nice but I'm sad to say they will get no bearing on where they are given how inept the dogs were. Several tried hard in the second half to earn some credibility but really none hurt the opposition. Callinan bobbed up a couple of times early, Hardy did well on Chambers for the most part and Williams battled away. But not even those guys were even close to 4 quarter performers.

The dogs have a nicely timed bye this week, hopefully Gowans and Sibenalers injuries aren't terribly serious and Griffin will relish the break. Havelberg, Cochrane and Goodrem will be close to returning as well. I thought this 4 week patch with the state game, 2 tricky games then a bye would be awkward, especially after winning all 9 before the state game. We now just need to sharpen the skills in the next 4-6 games then build fitness for a month leading into the finals. Not a good day, but means very, very little in the context of the season IMHO.

For Sturt, it's pretty hard to pick out any stand outs. Obviously plenty of midfielders got a heap of the ball, and the ball use was pretty good but when it's so easy to get and use the ball they should all look good. Even the key defenders looked like midfielders because they had no forwards to worry about marking.

[SnappyTom]

How many points did Chambo kick today ?????????????????????????????
There is a good reason Im asking why
I gotta feeling the Westoff goal in the last qtr saved CD some embarrasment

Hey spelly, could you post a Chambers + all other clubs "premiership table"? Might be interesting

Chambers premierships - 0
Centrals premierships in his time - 5 (possibly only 4)
Eagles premierships in his time - 1

Simple really.

ST...

[baysman]

Surely lulling every team into a false sense of security

[purch]

Surely lulling every team into a false sense of security

yep, pure sandbagging. Except we all know it's sandbagging this time

[harley d]

How many points did Chambo kick today ?????????????????????????????
There is a good reason Im asking why
I gotta feeling the Westoff goal in the last qtr saved CD some embarrasment

Hey spelly, could you post a Chambers + all other clubs "premiership table"? Might be interesting

Chambers premierships - 0
Centrals premierships in his time - 5 (possibly only 4)
Eagles premierships in his time - 1

Simple really.

ST...

Pretty sure Chambers was part of the 2002 Premiership team .

[the joker]

the league will not look at Smith's actions very nicely, he should and will be suspended, with disease around and especially Swine flu not a very good thing to do,
would have been funny when the Gowans got sent off with the Blood rule though

[Kahuna]

would have been funny when the Gowans got sent off with the Blood rule though

Yes it was hilarious. The umps thought it so funny they decided to hold the game up while he went off and changed his guernsey.

[Jimmy]

all the Sturt supporters that say Reilly goes back and doesent try enough, what do you say about his game today, he was Outstanding and almost BOG

He has to perform, only way he will get back in the AFL

yeah i know but did you read the Preview page Sturt supporters
were happy when Goody got injured because they thaught he would get pulled out of the sturt team.

especially jimmy

i say its about bloody time...he is only ever going to be a temp sturt player and we have been burnt too many times by afl players coming back and i would rather see 21 sturt blokes out there who will bleed for the club and limit the amt of afl come-backs we have. HOWEVER, i must admit i am happy he showed up today ....finally.

[stampy]

i think you dont have to be einstein to realise that everyone but dogs fans are happy about this, let it continue, we need change in this comp.

[zipzap]

all the Sturt supporters that say Reilly goes back and doesent try enough, what do you say about his game today, he was Outstanding and almost BOG

Miles away from best on ground IMO but he played well enough. He's more than welcome if he puts in efforts like that.

[Dutchy]

i think you dont have to be einstein to realise that everyone but dogs fans are happy about this, let it continue, we need change in this comp.

What we need is the Eagles or North to pull their fingers out and make sure the Dogs dont make the top 3, lets eee if they can do it then....Dogs wont worry one bit about today as long as their top 3 spot is safe..