Rnd 22 - Central v Sturt Preview @ Elizabeth (N) Sat 29/8

[Dutchy]

off course big phil is an out this week

I think he is an IN at some stage!

Sturt fans - How many League games has Trengove played?

[CUTTERMAN]

I'd think 4-6

[Dutchy]

I'd think 4-6

Is he that good that he was part for the reason you lost last week according to many sturt fans here and on DB.org?

[Big Phil]

off course big phil is an out this week

Bayman, don't remind me of it mate

off course big phil is an out this week

I think he is an IN at some stage!

One would hope so Dutchy

[CUTTERMAN]

I don't recall many if any saying that his absence was the reason for a loss Dutchy, think you're looking for something that you've already found.

[bayman]

off course big phil is an out this week

Bayman, don't remind me of it mate

off course big phil is an out this week

I think he is an IN at some stage!

One would hope so Dutchy

well if you can't kick a goal this week you'll be in big strife mate !!!

[Dutchy]

I don't recall many if any saying that his absence was the reason for a loss Dutchy, think you're looking for something that you've already found.

part of the reason, which did suprise me, but I havent seen much of him

[CUTTERMAN]

he will make a bit of a difference Dutchy but not enough to make up for an insipid 2nd half last week. he's a very good player for his age and probably one of the best to come out of Sturt since Todd Viney. Very poised, hard at the ball and has good skills. Proven leader also.

[Big Phil]

well if you can't kick a goal this week you'll be in big strife mate !!!

Trust me mate, I've been working on the goal kicking practice of late, I'm not sure if I'm guiding the ball properly or maybe if my aim is off a little bit mate, but sadly I have been kicking points, even a few out on the fulls in recent times !!!

Anyway, back onto the topic at hand...

I think this game will be one in the midfield, a few really good match ups in the centre circle, particularly Crane v Callinan if they happen to cross paths. I think the Dogs have the form to win, Sturt will be keen to rebound from last week, could really go either way. THe heart says Centrals by under 3 goals...

[Voice]

Hey Voice or Barto, what's happening with DB.org?

Servers are down. Barto's on to it and it will hopefully be back up soon. He's waiting for a reply from them.

[gerwyn]

where is M Westoff gone not on injury list for the dogs or power

[Big Phil]

where is M Westoff gone not on injury list for the dogs or power

Came out of the reserves game for Centrals the other week against North @ Prospect with a 'back strain' is what I have been told...

[Voice]

Are we all expecting the crowd to rock up a little late to Hamra considering the Carlton v Crows game is a twilight, Saturday game? Especially if it goes right down to the wire, then i'll find it hard myself to move away from the telly. If the game looks over then i'll probably leave home at 3 qtr time (cue the Crows supporters telling me it's all over already).

[phantom57]

I'm tipping a Blues quinella.......the footy gods will be laughing!!!

[Brucetiki]

Are we all expecting the crowd to rock up a little late to Hamra considering the Carlton v Crows game is a twilight, Saturday game? Especially if it goes right down to the wire, then i'll find it hard myself to move away from the telly. If the game looks over then i'll probably leave home at 3 qtr time (cue the Crows supporters telling me it's all over already).

I'm only watching the first quarter of the Crows then heading to Hamra, but I do expect a late arriving crowd because of the Crows game.

[MightyEagles]

The umpires this week are

Reserves

Field:- Matthew Johnston, Matthew Cousins and Adam Fitzgerald
Boundary:- S. Wilson, M. Rush and R. Crouch
Goal:- R. Tainsh and S. Riggs

League

Field:- Tim Pfeiffer, Tony Dey and Mark Hardham
Boundary:- A. Chahade, C. Bull and B. Sieben
Goal:- L. Corrieri and D. Hoskin

[Grahaml]

I'll answer your question in two parts.

Obviously it is history and everyone will have differing opinions but my opinion is that in 2002 Sturt had played Central four times before the GF and in each of those contests were never able to field their best combination through injury/suspension or otherwise. What we were able to do each time is get closer and more confident. The general feel around the club, even after the first loss at Unley early in the season, was that our best side playing our best footy would be more than a match for Central on any given day. Having spoken to numerous players at length about the build up to GF day it was apparent that each and every player was supremely confident of victory...and so it proved.

With regards to 2009, I certainly don't believe we are a 14 goal better side than Central (as was the margin in the only minor round meeting to date in 09) but I do believe that we are a more talented outfit, we have scored more points, conceded less. We seem to have a real issue with Glenelg, who I also firmly believe are a more accomplished side than the Dogs, but aside from that we have been terrific. The big difference is mental toughness and experience in the big games. Central are the masters of that.

I'll put it this way, if Sturt have the Dogs 23 points down at three quarter time in any upcoming final, I'd bet my bottom dollar we wouldn't let it slip. That comes with an extra year of experience, a couple more harder bodies and a mental recognition that we can beat Central District. I don't believe any of the boys fear the dogs like they used to, they still have enormous respect, but not fear.

And for me, it felt in 2002 like Norwood were the side to beat us. Obviously Sturt should feel like they should be able to win if they play their best. Heck, if South rocked up without thinking they could beat us last week they have no business playing league footy. And perhaps you are right and Sturt would have beaten us however we played. The sad part for our club is we never made you prove it. You were great, no doubt. But we never even put up a fight so we could walk away thinking we were beaten by a superior side. We were instead left thinking about whether it would have made a difference had we played better.

How much effect letting Glenelg get a draw in our last clash down there will have remains to be seen. Will we realise we had the game in our control and take that, or will Glenelg get confidence from a fightback? What I do know is this game is probably the most important for the season. More than likely we'll be facing off in a fortnight and the winner will take a lot out of a win. I think the dogs are better than last year. Eddie Sansbury is getting into some form and can cut anyone up with his pace and balance in the open spaces while some of our younger guys will be better. Not to mention Ian Callinan is probably getting as good a run into the finals as he's had since his first year.

Very much looking forward to the game. Win, lose or draw, I just hope any team that proves superior does it when we've played with the intensity we usuaully bring.

[Dutchy]

Wouldnt the game be on in Grand Central? Why not go there Crows fans?

[UK Fan]

So we fluked it in '02 UK? What a ridiculous thing to say. We were around the mark for nearly every year since '98 and have been pretty well since '02. It's like saying that WWT's flag was a fluke after playing numerous GF's. I hate to bring it up as does every Sturt supporter, but the events after '02 had a lasting affect on the players and wider club. The efforts of Centrals since 2000 have been sensational and unmatched previously and may never will be such is their dominance, however to assume that anyone who has beaten them for a flag is merely fluking it is absurb. What MST has mentioned about the players and coaching staff in their approach to the '02 season and GF is spot on, it's fact. Show some respect and regard UK, it's for this sort of mentality that port supporters and their club became so reviled.

Never said 2006 was a fluke. Can i ask why you brought up 2006 cuterman.???

We are talking about Sturt fluking a win gf day 2002.

Surely your not saying Sturt are like the Eagles in anyway shape or form are you ???

You sure you aren't severley inflating your clubs achievements. I would be hugely offended if i was an Eagles fans to have their recent achievements made comparable to you. Sturt made what 2 Gfs in 5 seasons and have done nothing since. Eagles 5 GF'S in 7 seasons. That is the proper definition of around the mark cutterman. The Eagles completely deserved their flag in 06.

Just shows how desperate you Sturt fans are to prove it wasnt a fluke by trying to allign yourself to the Eagles flag.

And the final contradiction you want to talk about showing respect. Poor Eagles fans.

Maybe if Sturt had made a GF since we could consider it not a fluke. But surprise surprise you have done bugger ye all since.

Move on Sturt fans us CDFC fans know it was a fluke and i doubt any of the other SANFL clubs supporters care about your pathetic ramblings 7 years after the event.

[Jimmy]

a lot of hot air in this thread...lets just try and beat the dogs this week to get some confidence back.

again, they are going to be the team to beat along with the bays. id hate to see 2008 all over again.