Sturt V Port @ Coopers Post Match Review

[Dutchy]

LIVE @ COOPERS STADIUM

LEAGUE:

Final Score

Sturt - 18.8.116

Port - 16.14.110

Double Blues hold on by 6 points


GOAL KICKERS:

Sturt - Z.Vitkunas 5, T.McIntyre 4, M.Coad 2, M.Duldig 2, T.Hurley 2, L.Panozzo 1, S.Kerridge 1, B.Martin 1

Port - G.Johncock 7, J.Butcher 5, J.Nyskohus 1, B.Newton 1, J.Johansen 1, S.Gray 1

[RustyCage]

First half was absolutely disgraceful but in the second half we showed signs of a decent style of play. If we can keep that going its not all bad signs for the magpies. We started to move the ball quicker, kicking it long, and our spread was much better. Also makes a difference when you start kicking them through the big sticks.

[Cambridge Clarrie]

Wow. Don't think I've ever left a game a winner but felt like a loser as much as I did tonight...

To nearly blow a lead like that is scandalous. The only bigger scandal was to have less than 3000 turn up on a perfect night for football. On a night our club needed supporters to show up in droves, they were let down badly. If you call yourself a supporter and didn't show up, hang your head in shame.

So far as the game is concerned there were periods of brilliance and then an equal quantity of unaccountable, undisciplined footy. Why do we have a team by the throat and then let them back in time after time after time? Happened on a number of occasions last year and nothing's changed this season...

Vitkunas, Kerridge, Evans were pretty good all night. Others were there in patches - Martin, Duldig, Panozzo, Kane... So far as our AFL players are concerned I reckon I could comfortably say nobody will be getting a call up for next week. Tambling, McIntyre, Graham will be in a Sturt guernsey for the rest of the year.

Gee we need Kouta back in the side and a psychologist to sit down with each player to get the mental side of the game right. Seamus said after last week we need to be able to stop a side scoring rapidly against us - still have a LOT of work to do Seamus.

Overall, what should have been a superb night with a big Sturt win in front if a big crowd was a true let down. I feel sorry for Matt Benson and those working their arses off to save this club. To them, keep going, you're doing a top job. To the players and supporters, lift your game.

[Sojourner]

To nearly blow a lead like that is scandalous. The only bigger scandal was to have less than 3000 turn up on a perfect night for football. On a night our club needed supporters to show up in droves, they were let down badly. If you call yourself a supporter and didn't show up, hang your head in shame.

My mail is that the club is likely to have made a loss on this tonight. In one sense I can understand your frustration that more supporters did not turn out to support the club, but on the other side could it be that the members have voted with their feet and made it very clear that they do not want Sturt playing matches at the Parade? It would appear that as good an idea as it may have seemed, it was foisted onto the members and was not something that came from the members with a groundswell of support to go ahead and do it. Time will soon tell as I am pretty sure Sturt have pencilled in another clash at the Parade although that may well now be under review if it turns out that tonight has come in at a loss for them. Think Sturt would have got a better gate playing WWT at Thebarton as a Home game this week.

[southee]

As a neutral supporter I went to this game.

What I was expecting was a turn out of passionate Sturt fans. To be put simply.....when their club needed them the most they did not show up. Really disappointing as I thought I would be standing in a crowd of excess of 5000. Good one you Sturt supporters that turned up and Port supporters as well but after tonight I have massive concerns for the Sturt footy club and the SANFL in general.

Like CC has said, Sturt great footy in parts then they just lose the marbles.....over use of the handball stood out and undisciplined footy. I thought some passages of play were brilliant but on others they were woeful. Duldig not used when free really stood out.

Port...first half was some of the worst footy I have ever seen in the SANFL comp.....and that's a massive call being a South supporter. After half time came out and took the game on so credit to them for doing that.

Overall good to see how 2 other sides are travelling. From Round 2.... don't think either will be there in September but who knows really after 2 rounds.

[dedja]

It's bad enough being a former Bays supporter ... God help Sturt supporters at the moment with the Dr Jekyll / Mr Hyde performances so far this year.

[CUTTERMAN]

While the umpiring was generally pretty good they really wanted to influence the game at moments that led to about 8 goals from free kicks that were so ridiculously soft it became a joke. The only question was which team was due for the next run on of umpire determined goals.
Well done Sturt but a lot of improvement needed. Disappointing crowd, probably more Sturt supporters but pretty pathetic effort by both clubs punters.

[Jimmy_041]

As a neutral supporter I went to this game.

What I was expecting was a turn out of passionate Sturt fans. To be put simply.....when their club needed them the most they did not show up. Really disappointing as I thought I would be standing in a crowd of excess of 5000. Good one you Sturt supporters that turned up and Port supporters as well but after tonight I have massive concerns for the Sturt footy club and the SANFL in general.

Like CC has said, Sturt great footy in parts then they just lose the marbles.....over use of the handball stood out and undisciplined footy. I thought some passages of play were brilliant but on others they were woeful. Duldig not used when free really stood out.

Port...first half was some of the worst footy I have ever seen in the SANFL comp.....and that's a massive call being a South supporter. After half time came out and took the game on so credit to them for doing that.

Overall good to see how 2 other sides are travelling. From Round 2.... don't think either will be there in September but who knows really after 2 rounds.

Ditto here as a Norwood supporter who went with a Sturt mate to help support his club (and paid the exorbitant entry fee to help you prix out)
3000+ turn up last week but a mate reckons there were more WWT supporters
Less than 3000 tonight on a perfect night.
Sturt is rooted if thats the support they get.

The umpiring was appalling - anyone else see the holding the ball not given at the southern end WTF!
And Sturts gimme extra goal when their player ran into 2 Port players after kicking a goal?

Serious problems at SANFL level if this is the sort of shite being served up

[pels]

The umpiring was appalling - anyone else see the holding the ball not given at the southern end WTF!
And Sturts gimme extra goal when their player ran into 2 Port players after kicking a goal?

Serious problems at SANFL level if this is the sort of shite being served up

Umpiring was a joke, some of the decisions you wonder WTF.
The one where Sturt got a bonus goal was laughable.
Poor crowd for a nice night.

[Big Phil]

SANFL officials sent out a revised crowd figure from this evening's game...

Was just over 2,800 originally, new figure is - 3,015

Not much better and no doubt disappointing for Sturt and the League...

[dedja]

Wonder what return (if any) Sturt will receive from the night?

[RustyCage]

I'm guessing that even if Sturt make a loss tonight, it would be a smaller loss than what would have been at Unley?

[saintal]

Although I didn't see their match v Essendon, I find it hard to believe that "Stiffy" isn't in the Crows' best 22. We'll have him at St Kilda..

Well done to Sturt on getting their 1st win. Sounds like the umpiring has only gotten worse over the summer

[DoublebluTiger]

Wow. Don't think I've ever left a game a winner but felt like a loser as much as I did tonight...

To nearly blow a lead like that is scandalous. The only bigger scandal was to have less than 3000 turn up on a perfect night for football. On a night our club needed supporters to show up in droves, they were let down badly. If you call yourself a supporter and didn't show up, hang your head in shame.

Overall, what should have been a superb night with a big Sturt win in front if a big crowd was a true let down. I feel sorry for Matt Benson and those working their arses off to save this club. To them, keep going, you're doing a top job. To the players and supporters, lift your game.

A mate and i who regularly attend couldn't last night because we had prior commitments that we couldn't change. Any other time of this weekend would have been fine but it was just one of those unfortunate event clash. In some small selfish way i was hoping the match would be rescheduled if the light tower didn't fire up again so i could get to see the game at a later date!

Glad the team got the win but this evident two speed play IE On / Off is a real concern.

[drifter]

Just a thought. Would the Blues be better off teaming up with an amateur club in their zone with reasonable facilities and establishing a home base there ?
Perhaps gain a grant to upgrade facilities. Pay a hire fee which is substantially less than they have to pay at Unley to erect fences etc each game.
Not sure on the details on what they have to do at Unley but it just doesn't feel like a league ground any more.
I watched the great Sturt sides run rings around some great maggies teams over the years, zipping the handball around that postage stamp size ground. Hated it at the time, but gee it had atmosphere !
Now I am watching someone walking their dog in the background or flying a kite. Just not the same.
I know we can't go back to those days, but I do want to see a strong Sturt side again.

On Port for a minute. Did they just click with Kenny Macs style or did Sturt crumble. Is it maybe if Port gets it right they are dangerous ?

[Jimmy_041]

I suggested to one of the Sturt officials they should play some of their games at Norwood and the others at Thebarton.
Do a lot of night games to liven it up make it different.
He said their supporters want them to play at Unley.
Well, where are they?
And the SANFL need to drop the gate to $8 and beer to $5 - this is NOT the '80's - the league teams of today would be lucky to beat a seconds teams back then

[SDK]

Totally agree the $14 is keeping many away as they think there is no value at that price. My Port mate did not go last week because he said he will not pay $14 to get in and $8 a can of beer.
Last night probably signalled the end of the Sturt Football Club. If the fans won't rally and support their team in time of need then they deserve to lose their club. PW Sturt supporters you will not help yourself so don't expect any help from other parties.

[Harry the Horse]

Totally agree the $14 is keeping many away as they think there is no value at that price. My Port mate did not go last week because he said he will not pay $14 to get in and $8 a can of beer.
Last night probably signalled the end of the Sturt Football Club. If the fans won't rally and support their team in time of need then they deserve to lose their club. PW Sturt supporters you will not help yourself so don't expect any help from other parties.

Agreed. Very disappointing turn out.
Most Sturt people I know have a real hatred of Norwood and it may explain why the game wasn't better supported.
Personally, I think they need to get over it. I think ground sharing at Norwood or maybe Glenelg is their only answer.
Also agreed $14 is too much and has eroded the SANFL's point of difference. Needs to be capped at $10.

[gadj1976]

I would've gone last night with a neutral supporter - but only as a once off because of the cost. I can't see myself regularly going to games because for 14 bucks I think the value for money is only ordinary. And as for buying a club membership - I really can't afford the outlay.

As to last night - I didn't get there because of a passing in our family, however, I also think we should give the exercise time. Sturt will be like the AFL Port, crowds will come back if we start winning. Sad but unfortunately true.

I like the concept of playing night games at Norwood. I don't like the pricing system - slugging those that do do the right thing but that seems to be a common mentality across entertainment in SA (hello to the Zoo and Basketball).

[Jim05]

I have said all along that moving Sturt to Mt Barker is probably the only way they will survive.