R20: Port v Sturt Review

[Macca19]

Brant Chambers has all but assured he will finish the season as a century goalkicker, kicking 9 goals in a dominant display, largely helping his side to a more than comfortable 35 point victory at Alberton today.

Sitting on 79 goals at the start of the day, Chambers had 6 to half time, making one of the States best defenders in Corey AhChee look second rate. He finished with 9, taking his season tally to 88 and that one step closer to becoming the first century goalkicker the SANFL has seen this century. With Sturt now in the box seat to win the double chance, Chambers looks to have at least 5 games to manage the 11 goals needed.

But it wasnt just the Brant Chambers show at Alberton today. Sturt were fast, skillful, attacking and held all the answers, looking every bit the Premiership threat they have become this year. Meanwhile Port Adelaide looked every bit the team that knew it had very little to play for.

Once again the Magpies were poor in front of goal, finishing with less than 50% accuracy for the 9th time this season. They struggled to find targets across grounds, were consistently beaten in one on one contests, looked completely disinterested at times and in a trait that has infiltrated the team this year, regularly turned the ball over through sheer overuse of the handball. The handball can be a wonderfully attacking weapon in the modern era, but Ports continual disastrous use of it this season has been a major cause of frustration for fans. Too many times they over-handball in the defensive half of the ground which almost always ends up in an easy scoring opportunity for the opposition.

Sturts defence was fantastic once again. Daniel Hargraves, coming off 6 goals last week, could only manage one mark inside 50 for the match and failed to goal, whilst Port Adelaides leading goalkicker Brent LeCras only managed the one major. Brad Murray kicked 3 in another good showing from the recruit. Kristian DePasquale and Darryl Wakelin were the Magpies best.

Sturt had many winners on the ground. Chambers kicked 9, Luke Crane was arguably best on ground with 3 goals and some magical work in the middle and across half forward. Sean O'Keefe kicked two last half majors playing across half forward, whist Ben Nelson, James Mcleay and John Mcdonald were noticeably good as well. It was a real team performance for the Blues however and the end margin flattered the Magpies.

Sturt definately have the talent to get some success this season, but just how well they will go against finals hardened squads like Centrals and the Eagles will be something to keep an eye on. As for the Magpies, it is time to put some more juniors in and try and fast track their development for next year.

[Mr66]

Has anyone posted the F*&%$^&* score on any thread yet?

[smac]

On the live scores thread mate. Somewhere around page 5 or 6 at a guess.

[scott]

Sturt 18.9 (117)
Port 11.16 (82)

[Rushby Hinds]

So happy i'll post it twice

[Rucciangelo]

Good evening...I'm off to the Ark, not to grab a granny, but to rejoice yet another victory over the once great Magpie.

[Mr66]

On the live scores thread mate. Somewhere around page 5 or 6 at a guess.

Ta

[TroyGFC]

So happy i'll post it twice

[am Bays]

So happy i'll post it twice

Oh for another draw next week at Alberton......