No red Herring as Blues sink Legs

[CK]

Led by an impressive six goal haul by Ryan Herring, Sturt ran away from Norwood to post a 48 point win at Cornerstone College, Mount Barker.

Herring ran rings around the Norwood defence to boot five goals in the first half before being rested in the final term. Opposed to Crows listed Aaron Kite, Herring moved hard in the 50 metre arc to take advantage of Brant Chambers having a quiet first half. Missing only one shot at goal from 5 metres out on a tough angle, his pack marking and quick turning circles were too much for Norwood to contain.

Magarey Medallist Luke Crane showed no signs of a Medal hangover to be close to best afield with a hard running display typified by precise disposal. QLD recruit Matthew Payne was ultra impressive with his ability to win the contested possession and break the lines to set up numerous forward attacks, while Angus Kurtze's first half in ruck was superb, taking a number of contested marks before resting to give Jake Bowen time in centre. John McDonald was impressive throughout. His breaking of the lines and clever passing by foot to isolate teammates drew many plaudits from the Sturt coaching staff at the breaks, while Jade Sheedy's experience was critical mopping up across half back.

The Legs suffered from an inability to find a multiple goalkicker, with all ten goals slotted by individual players. Jamie Vlatko was again well held, posting a solitary behind, although Jack Juniper showed excellent signs that he could be a valuable foil for frustrated Norwood coach Trevor Hill. Labelling their tackling efforts as "pathetic" at three quarter time, he shuffled the boards numerous times to find the right combination. Port listed onballer Matthew Thomas made the most of his opportunities with a dominant display, although it was spoiled by wayward foot passing at crucial times. Alex Stopp's first half on Chambers was brilliant, with close checking and good positioning restricting the opportunities of the Blues spearhead. Dylan Pfitzner, not looking entirely comfortable as a second ruck early, moved forward later and showed good signs with quick movement while Paul Puopolo was pivotal at the fall of the ball to break the lines.

With Norwood having many first choice players missing, such as David Trotter (who played in the Reserves match), Kenrick Tyrell, Luke Jericho and Kris Massie, there were still some good signs of quick ball movement spoiled by poor decision making at times. Sturt, not far below full strength, drew much encouragement from some of their youngsters, with Jeremy Johncock and Tom Rischibieth having good patches, while former Norwood onballer Brad Vassal showed he will be a useful addition for Luke Norman.

SCORES:

STURT 4-2 10-5 14-8 17-11 (113)
NORWOOD 2-1 6-4 7-4 10-5 (65)

GOALS: Sturt - Herring 6, Chambers 3, McDonald 2, Payne, Sheedy, Gum, Johncock, Trengove, Smith
Norwood - Lower, Coombes, Puopolo, Juniper, Gunning, Fuller, M. Thomas, Aish, Pfitzner, Jeffries

[Bully]

bugger....thought norwood was gunna do well this year

[CedeNullis]

Great write up CK.

[godoubleblues]

good write up CK
Herring was very impressive and hopefully he can go on with it this season, he may have been held back last year by us playing Perrie at CHF
other good players for the Double Blues were Bratton who I thought was very good in the middle
Crane early, he sat out the most of the second half
Payne showed he is a class act, Smith played strongly, Kurtze was very good in ruck, Brodie Martin played well
but nothing to get carried away with as Norwood had some big names out

[topsywaldron]

Norwood had some big names out

I love playing this game during trial time.

From Norwood's forum.

Players out who would slot in our best 21 come R1 were Doyle, Gags, Trotter (res), Campbell, Zorzi, Weatherald, Phillips, Rowe, Lee, Terlich, Massie, Tyrell, Donohue. Probably more I havent thought of.

[am Bays]

Isn't Doyle normally an out....

[JK]

Isn't Doyle normally an out....

*Tapes mouth shut*

[Voice]

Plenty of pics here http://www.sturtcheersquad.com/apps/pho ... id=4721420
Very Sturt orientated pics by me with the first ten from the ressies and the rest league.
Loved the surface at Cornerstone, if only all ovals were like that.

[am Bays]

Well given the good wins by both Glenelg and Sturt today rd 1 at the Bay should be a cracker!!!

Seriously if we got 12 000 last year 10 000 could be on the cards again with both teams showing a bit of form ATM.

[Voice]

Well given the good wins by both Glenelg and Sturt today rd 1 at the Bay should be a cracker!!!

Seriously if we got 12 000 last year 10 000 could be on the cards again with both teams showing a bit of form ATM.

Hopefully everyone that wants to watch the Cows play Collingwood will come down straight after as this game only starts at 4:30.
Can't wait!

[Dutchy]

Sturt won the Ressies by 12 goals

[NFC]

I don't think I've ever taken less from a game, a trial game even. Our whole side was virtually out and the show was ran by the reserves. I didn't even take notice of a single opposition player so to hear Herring kicked 6 comes as a shock.

[fester69]

Nice Ground, nice drive, nice to see some mates, kids had fun on the ground kicking the footy and the team we had done well to stay below 60 points. Mickey Mouse game as far as NFC was concerned, bit like the Hawks against the Cows a week earlier.

NO scoreboard , no drink or food stalls and a "cow-bell" for a siren were the only BIG let-downs on the day. Thankfully a Norwood supporter actually rang Strut and informed them that the Cornerstone College hadnt planned to open the gym to allow access to the toilets!

[Ronnie]

Nice Ground, nice drive, nice to see some mates, kids had fun on the ground kicking the footy and the team we had done well to stay below 60 points. Mickey Mouse game as far as NFC was concerned, bit like the Hawks against the Cows a week earlier.

NO scoreboard , no drink or food stalls and a "cow-bell" for a siren were the only BIG let-downs on the day. Thankfully a Norwood supporter actually rang Strut and informed them that the Cornerstone College hadnt planned to open the gym to allow access to the toilets!

No mention there of Brad Vassal?, would be pretty familiar face.

[JK]

Nice Ground, nice drive, nice to see some mates, kids had fun on the ground kicking the footy and the team we had done well to stay below 60 points. Mickey Mouse game as far as NFC was concerned, bit like the Hawks against the Cows a week earlier.

NO scoreboard , no drink or food stalls and a "cow-bell" for a siren were the only BIG let-downs on the day. Thankfully a Norwood supporter actually rang Strut and informed them that the Cornerstone College hadnt planned to open the gym to allow access to the toilets!

No mention there of Brad Vassal?, would be pretty familiar face.

Hope Vass does well for you blokes ... He was an excellent stalwart at the Parade, a good bloke, and deserved more opportunity than he was given

[Ronnie]

Nice Ground, nice drive, nice to see some mates, kids had fun on the ground kicking the footy and the team we had done well to stay below 60 points. Mickey Mouse game as far as NFC was concerned, bit like the Hawks against the Cows a week earlier.

NO scoreboard , no drink or food stalls and a "cow-bell" for a siren were the only BIG let-downs on the day. Thankfully a Norwood supporter actually rang Strut and informed them that the Cornerstone College hadnt planned to open the gym to allow access to the toilets!

No mention there of Brad Vassal?, would be pretty familiar face.

Hope Vass does well for you blokes ... He was an excellent stalwart at the Parade, a good bloke, and deserved more opportunity than he was given

he's a good chance to do well. The odd criticism of his disposal by foot, but overall very positive reports.

[MagareyLegend]

Vassal looked slow, overweight and unfit.
Can definitely play - but not at this level

[Footy Smart]

Vassal looked slow, overweight and unfit.
Can definitely play - but not at this level

Are you kidding me??? Vassal unfit and fat.... you idiot.... although not lightning quick is fit as all hell and physically strong through the body!!! His skin folds would be non existant.

He was up there in the time trial times and definately is capable of playing league footy... his toughness is whats needed at the Blues thats for sure.

[MagareyLegend]

Well, how did you think he played?

[Footy Smart]

Well, how did you think he played?

I have heard that he played ok.... did some good things. His pace is his downfall but his toughness and commitment/fitness cannot be questioned