Rd 19 2007 Sturt v Eagles

[eaglehaslanded]

Eagles 15.8.98 def Sturt 12.11.83.
Close game in the finish, but I think the Eagles were up by about 5 goals at one stage, so perhaps the Blues got a few back in garbage time? Frustrating game to follow from outside SA, coverage was limited to updates over the internet. Frustrating also that we couldn't get that Eagles monkey yet again. But by the sounds we really made them work for most of the game and we must have learnt a bit about them in the process. Before the game I thought that the Eagles had more to play for than us. They can hardly afford to drop a game from here to get the double chance, and we'd have to drop just about every game to miss out, so I wouldn't be surprised if we MacGowan experimented a bit yesterday. Anyway, losing to the Eagles is a bit like taking a crap with the pants on, so I hope we can turn it around from here. I don't buy into the "we've done enough for the year" routine because everyone thought we'd finish bottom. The Blues have to focus on the big prize now. To rest on the laurels because we had a better than expected season is a waste of effort, all teams are in it for the same ultimate goal, and we have done well to manouver into a position where we may just be a chance, against all odds. I hope we atone for this loss in the name of building toward the bigger prize.
Well done Eagles, obviously had all the answers at exactly the right time.
Go you Blues!

Yeah your preety spot on there. The Eagles kicked 5 quick last quarter goals to turn a 3 point deficit into a 27 point lead. Sturt then got a couple back including one after the final siren. Scoreboard in the end flattered Sturt a little in the end. Eagles were clearly the better side for the majority of the day. Good effort by your blue boys although the Eagles dominance over Sturt still holds strong.

[eaglehaslanded]

Well played eags - hope to see ya in the finals.

Geez, I don't! That monkey is becoming a gorilla...



Top game for 3 quarters - great pressure footy from both teams in blustery conditions. Then the Eagles showed why they are the Premiers - couldn't believe how they lifted a notch so superbly in the last. Sturt have a hard run home and will be doing very well to finish in the top 3 with the Eags and Norf snapping at their heels. It's going to be a fascinating run into the finals that's for sure.

Your damn right it's become a gorilla. That's 13 in a row and it must be close to one of the biggest winning streaks in head to head battles by any SANFL club at the current time. Cue spelly to check that stat for me.

[Mickyj]

Well played eags - hope to see ya in the finals.

Geez, I don't! That monkey is becoming a gorilla...



Top game for 3 quarters - great pressure footy from both teams in blustery conditions. Then the Eagles showed why they are the Premiers - couldn't believe how they lifted a notch so superbly in the last. Sturt have a hard run home and will be doing very well to finish in the top 3 with the Eags and Norf snapping at their heels. It's going to be a fascinating run into the finals that's for sure.

Your damn right it's become a gorilla. That's 13 in a row and it must be close to one of the biggest winning streaks in head to head battles by any SANFL club at the current time. Cue spelly to check that stat for me.

Did Sturt beat the EAGLES the year they won the flag? My memory is getting dim lol

[Aerie]

I wouldn't say Eagles were clearly the better side all day. I thought it was pretty even and Sturt looked more dangerous for the first three quarters. Eagles were clearly the better side when it counted in the last quarter.

Eagles need to win all their remaining games. No room for error given the poor start to the year. If that happens and Central beat Sturt at Elizabeth, we should be able to sneak into a top 3 spot given Sturt play North in the final round. If Sturt lose to North it would come down to percentage (which is approx 20 goals diff at the moment).

I still think Central and North are the teams to beat.

[Mickyj]

I wouldn't say Eagles were clearly the better side all day. I thought it was pretty even and Sturt looked more dangerous for the first three quarters. Eagles were clearly the better side when it counted in the last quarter.

Eagles need to win all their remaining games. No room for error given the poor start to the year. If that happens and Central beat Sturt at Elizabeth, we should be able to sneak into a top 3 spot given Sturt play North in the final round. If Sturt lose to North it would come down to percentage (which is approx 20 goals diff at the moment).

I still think Central and North are the teams to beat.

I would say the EAGLES learnt from the same type of game from the week before.By this I mean after weathering the thrid quarter storm they stormed out of the blocks.How the EAGLES cope with all out attack next week will be the key.

[Cambridge Clarrie]

Congrats Eagles - good win.

I have to say though that if we play you again this year (and there's a fair chance we will) I'll be pretty confident of a win. Sturt really squandered some chances in the first half. To lose by 15 points shows that we're not really that far off. Great game Luke Crane. This guy just keeps getting better and better. Well done to the shorty playing for the Eagles (Lomas?) he played a ripper too. I agree that WWT had the better of Sturt for the majority of the day but it was really only 10 mins in the last quarter that cost us. A good tough game that I think will stand our guys in good stead.

[sturt1]

The eagles were too good on saturday. The Blues tried hard but the pressure applied by the eags when we had the ball was fantastic. Obviously priming themselves on another assault on the flag. Based on Saturdays effort the eagles are ready to go all the way again. Well done.

[Dutchy]

is it a worry for Sturt fans that you are 0-2 at the Oval this year leading into finals?

[spell_check]

I forgot to ask in my earlier post perhaps Spellcheck or Cd could answer.
How many games have THE EAGLES won with no AFL listed players in both Seconds and LEAGUE ?

McGregor and Vince have both qualified mate. Not sure about any others.

That was not my point Eagle has landed .The two Eagles teams won with no AFL listed players Playing .When the EAGLES beat GLenelg there were no AFL listed players in the seniors but the two power listed players in the two's.

So yesterday no AFL listed players and both grades won .No depending on AFL talent. Once again can anyone answer my question.

Spelly will know surely !!!

That's a tough question! I don't have Reserves teams for each match, so I can't answer that for sure, but today is the only time this year, yes.

[eaglehaslanded]

Well played eags - hope to see ya in the finals.

Geez, I don't! That monkey is becoming a gorilla...



Top game for 3 quarters - great pressure footy from both teams in blustery conditions. Then the Eagles showed why they are the Premiers - couldn't believe how they lifted a notch so superbly in the last. Sturt have a hard run home and will be doing very well to finish in the top 3 with the Eags and Norf snapping at their heels. It's going to be a fascinating run into the finals that's for sure.

Your damn right it's become a gorilla. That's 13 in a row and it must be close to one of the biggest winning streaks in head to head battles by any SANFL club at the current time. Cue spelly to check that stat for me.

Did Sturt beat the EAGLES the year they won the flag? My memory is getting dim lol

2002 was the last time Sturt beat us mate you are correct.

[godoubleblues]

is it a worry for Sturt fans that you are 0-2 at the Oval this year leading into finals?

that thought crossed my mind as I was making my way home after the game

[godoubleblues]

2002 was the last time Sturt beat us mate you are correct.

we beat you guys in 03 at Unley
and we beat you all three times in 02

not much joy since then though

[spell_check]

13 wins in a row is the biggest current winning streak.
Others are 12 by Central over West, 12 by Sturt over West and 10 by North over West.

[purch]

Eagles were clearly the better side for the majority of the day.

Agreed, but only just...it all went pear-shaped for Sturt early in the last quarter. I thought up to 3 qtr time the honours were even, in a game that was hard and tough in close and there was plenty of free-flowing passages from both teams.

Sturt made some crucial errors early in the game like gifting Klunny a goal and missing a couple of relatively easy set shots. I thought Jarrad really cut us up in the end - was that his goal from 50m out on the boundary line on the run on his left foot?? - Mattner-esque! The Eagles' better use of the ball in front of goal turned out to be the difference.

Whiteman had his strongest game of the season and got us out of trouble all day. Agree about Crane - another great game with plenty of run right to the end.

Well played WWT. I just hope we can get another crack at you this season.

[ferret]

While it might not be wise to single out players for their efforts in a great team display, I thought Lomas, Treeby and James Stewart were sensational. Lomas is a revelation, I really haven't appreciated his skills until the the last half dozen matches - always thought he was a good player, but just lately he has been exceptional. His quick kicks out of packs opens up the play and gets the Eagles going. Treeby's most consistent season sofar, must be leading the B&F at the moment. As a first year player James Stewarts poise, skill, kicking and ball getting abilities have been great. The backpocket play of J. Stewart has allowed Fairclough to be relieved of the backpocket duties so he can show more flair on the ball.

Who gets dropped next week for the inclusion of Vince, Cooper and Passador? Is Passador a certainty to be reincluded as Coach Fuller likes to pull off the unexpected......maybe Lee Staples might get the nod, his form in the 2s has been good. Schwarze and Passador play a similar type game, the Coach might look for something different. The unknown is whether the reported Schwarze will get suspended.

Still a little worried about lack of height in defence although our undersized backs battled valiantly. Would not be surprised to see Macca back at CHB this week.

[sturtpeter]

Why was Mattner not played by Craig yesterday?

Karma

[evaneagle]

Ferret, I agree with your summation.

Lomas is just getting better each week. I know about his problems, but would he be worth a low pick in the draft, he has great pace.

You are spot on about the height in the back-lines. It is an issue for us. Young Pat Giuffreda got beaten I thought on Saturday. His form been quite good and I like his future at the club. But he should be playing on the "third tall"; he isn't big enough to hold done CHB permanently. Thought Zac Hier's effort on Chambers was pretty good. I think we need the extra tall to play back. As I mentioned last week, Joe Pedlar is the obvious answer, but McKenzie is another as he proved last year. Though maybe McGregor may become a possibility?

We will get killed by North this week if we don't have a taller option, particularly if they get Perrie, Gill or even White back.

[Cambridge Clarrie]

Why was Mattner not played by Craig yesterday?

Karma

Marty is definitely not in favour down at West Lakes. Unfortunate in my opinion as I believe he has a lot to offer. Let's hope he plays the rest of the season for Sturt and qualifies for the finals...

[BPBRB]

Ferret, I agree with your summation.

Lomas is just getting better each week. I know about his problems, but would he be worth a low pick in the draft, he has great pace.

You are spot on about the height in the back-lines. It is an issue for us. Young Pat Giuffreda got beaten I thought on Saturday. His form been quite good and I like his future at the club. But he should be playing on the "third tall"; he isn't big enough to hold done CHB permanently. Thought Zac Hier's effort on Chambers was pretty good. I think we need the extra tall to play back. As I mentioned last week, Joe Pedlar is the obvious answer, but McKenzie is another as he proved last year. Though maybe McGregor may become a possibility?

We will get killed by North this week if we don't have a taller option, particularly if they get Perrie, Gill or even White back.

White got one game so is out suspended so he can't play, will the Crows drop Perrie or Gill - don't think so!
Weatherely will be back (or should be back) this week to give us the 3 tall fwds though!

[MST]

WWT's skill under pressure and intensity in the last quarter was the difference in this one.

Well played Eagles.

I believe we had opportunities in both the second and third quarters to put some daylight between us and them on the scoreboard but as was the case for most of the day our disposal, finishing in front of goal and skills/decision making was very poor to say the least.

I walked away from the oval bloody frustrated that they had beaten us yet again but by the time I got home and had a glass of red I was a little more philosophical. Throw Gum and DeLuca back into that side and the result may well have been different (not to mention Mattner, who has now qualified). Lindsay killed us in the tap work and with Chambers again being relatively well checked we lacked some support in the forward fifty area.

I have to disagree with a couple of my fellow Blues regarding Luke Crane's game. IMO he had a stinker! He got plenty of the footy but he burn't it countless times, although as mentioned at the top of this diddy he certainly wasn't a lone ranger there. Whiteman was simply fantastic, Herring competed well but apart from that most had quiet days.

Port at Alberton next week presents us with a very simple challenge. Bounce back and sew up a top three berth or get beaten and it then looks harder. With North and WWT playing each other we again could be three games clear (of the Eagles with a North win) or a game and a half clear of North (two of WWT) if the Eagles get up.

Whichever way you look at it, beat Port and I think we are as good as home for that double chance.

All in all, frustrated again but with a lot of guys having down days and some quality to come back into the side, certainly not 'slash the wrist' time.

Go the mighty Blues.