Reece Homfray @ Messenger Press wrote:Sturt heads to Darwin
Sturt full back Patrick Fittock.STURT will head to Darwin in March to play the NT Thunder in its final hit-out before the start of the SANFL season.
The Double Blues will send a group of 45 players and officials to the Top End for the clash with the NT state side on Friday night, March 19.
Sturt drew the bye twice in the SANFL’s four-week trial game series, prompting the club to look elsewhere for competition.
Talks with former chief executive Stuart Totham - who now heads the Thunder - proved fruitful with the NT paying for 30 Sturt players to make the trip.
``Stuart and I talked about it the last few years he was here,’’ Sturt football operations manager Duane Massey said.
``And now they’ve been in the QAFL for 12 months, and Stuart is up there, they’re keen to play an SANFL club.
``It’s also a good opportunity for our players to get away from Adelaide for a weekend, freshen up and be ready to play Round One against South Adelaide.’’
It will be Sturt’s first pre-season trip in almost two decades and despite the novelty factor, Massey said his team would be playing to win.
``Absolutely,’’ he said.
``It’s going to be warm but most of our players will play three quarters.’’
Sturt has a significant Darwin connection in its team with defender Pat Fittock, midfielder Josh Cubillo and forward Charlie Sharples all hailing from the NT.
``I can’t wait,’’ Fittock said.
``I haven’t played this level in front of a home crowd so it should be good.
``The heat won’t be too bad in late March and playing at night time is better than the day, so we’ll be right.’’
HEADING NORTH:
Friday morning, March 19: Leave AdelaideFriday night, March 19: Play NT Thunder at TIO StadiumSaturday morning, March 20: Recovery Saturday afternoon, March 20: Fishing charter Sunday morning, March 21: Return to Adelaide