Rd 2 2008 Sturt vs. Centrals @ Unley Oval

[SBR]

Should be another cracker game, could definately go either way.

Sturt were looking terrific on Friday night, but from the sound of it, the dogs weren't too bad either. Should be very entertaining indeed.

I'm looking forward to this one, here's hoping it's a repeat of our victory over them last season.

Thoughts?

[n-redlegs]

Don't forget to lock your car

[twosheds]

Don't forget to lock your car

Even at the tender age of 17 you surely could be more original than that.

[n-redlegs]

Just going on previous experiences mate

[Jimmy]

Just going on previous experiences mate

its at unley

[smithy]

Don't forget to lock your car

BORING

[therisingblues]

According to the SANFL site, Sturt needs to win this clash to even the ledger of the overall record.
Sturt and Centrals have played 97 times. Centrals have won 49, Sturt have won 48.
Perhaps an added significance to this clash.
GO YOU BLUES!!!

[shanghaied]

Don't forget to lock your car

But remember to get out of the car first. Otherwise you might miss the match.

[Sam_goUUUdogs]

Centrals comfortably.

[Rucciangelo]

Will be good to have a competitive side to play against to see where we're at! Hopefully one turns up on Sat'dy.

[smac]

Just going on previous experiences mate

An old joke doesn't surprise, given your signature. Get with the times!

[JK]

According to the SANFL site, Sturt needs to win this clash to even the ledger of the overall record.
Sturt and Centrals have played 97 times. Centrals have won 49, Sturt have won 48.
Perhaps an added significance to this clash.
GO YOU BLUES!!!

Surely due for a draw then?

[Hazydog]

With fine weather forecast (last time I checked) we can expect a reasonable crowd. I'm wondering how many can fit into Unley nowadays, (Im led to believe about 7500), and how they would manage that if it occurred.

For example, the gates are shut at 1:50pm & I arrive at 1:55pm with my season ticket, home match ticket or the like??

I'd like to think they would allow for "pre-purchased" tickets but it's hard to see them knock back general admission $$ on the day.

It's probably hypothetical anyway as I personally cant see more than 5000 attending.

[smac]

There's always room for 1 more, hazy!

[Dirko]

With fine weather forecast (last time I checked) we can expect a reasonable crowd. I'm wondering how many can fit into Unley nowadays, (Im led to believe about 7500), and how they would manage that if it occurred.

Reserve a seat on the slippery dip or swing...

They should move the eastern fence back to the outside of the brick entrance part so people can stand on that wing too...Wouldn't be too hard ?

[Peterxtc]

Centrals comfortably.

Didn't know you were a fisherman Sam (no bites yet).

[Grahaml]

I think the dogs would start slight favourites. The dogs should have a touch too much in the midfield for Sturt, and our defense should be able to hold Perrie and Chambers better than most, with Schell and Sibenaler in particular, with support in the air from Andrew Hayes.

With 3 good talls in attack the dogs should find enough scoring opportunities. Even if Lawry, Havelberg and Cowan don't snag many themselves, Callinan, Gowans and Goodrem should get enough crumbs to get amongst the goals themselves.

However, Sturt should kick goals if they get the supply. Perrie will take 8+ marks for the game. It's just a question of whether they're on the wing in the third quarter, or whether he gets them all game long in the forward 50. Chambers will have to take on Sibenaler first who he cannot beat one on one (so he must lead) and then perhaps Andrew Hayes who might be able to hold him on the lead. Chambers and the Sturt midfield will have to be smart in how they get big Brant the ball if he is to have an influence.

Whoever starts on Hayes must make him accountable. He will try to peel off and take marks in front of Perrie and Chambers, and so his opponent must work hard to get Hayes away from the corridor and Sturt must use Hayes man whenever they can.

The big keys for Sturt however, are stopping the dogs from switching play and using their flankers to link with running midfielders. If Hayes, Westhoff and Cochrane (along with Sibenaler and Schell of course) are allowed to link up with Slade, Thomas and Gowans Sturt will lose. Gum, and the rest of the Sturt forward line will have to work hard to stop the run form the backline by sticking to their opponents. Chambers and Perrie will be very quickly exposed if they don't work as well, given how Schell and Sibenaler like to run off at every opportunity. The opther thing Sturt cannot afford is to concede first use to the dogs in the contests. Gowans, Dutschke, Slade and Thomas are too clever to cough the ball up too often, and will feed the ball to each other until someone gets a clear posession. Given the firepower up forward, Sturt will leak goals like crazy if we are allowed that sort of room to lead into.

At this time of the year, the dogs are vulnerable because they will switch and try to get run from behind. Many players are not yet used to where to run and so turnovers are common if the opposition apply pressure to these runners.

Last season Sturt did this superbly at Unley and earned the reward. Will be interesting to see if they can do the same this week.

[Sam_goUUUdogs]

Centrals comfortably.

Didn't know you were a fisherman Sam (no bites yet).

Ah well still 5 days to go

Realistically though, I think it will be pretty close up til 3 qtr time, then the Dogs will overrun Sturt in the last qtr, not by much, but enough to get home pretty safely in the end, I think the fact Centrals are coming of a really good tough hit-out, whereas Sturt had a fairly cruisey game on Friday, may play a factor, and while sturt did look good, I think Norwood had quite abit to do with that, im not suggesting Sturt are not a good team, but Friday nights win may have them thinking they are a little better than they are.
You would also expect Centrals to be fairly hungry for a win at Unley, with it being 1 of only 2 grounds they lost at last year, its not really a major thing, but its one of very few things Centrals were not able to do last year, so you would think its something they would have set themselves for 2008.

[Hazydog]

Spot on Grahaml - I also think a crucial factor will be how long it takes us to work out that we can deliver straight to Full Forward ie 30 metres from goal, rather than delivering to CHF ie 60 metres from goal.

It seems to me that whenever we play a small oval, early in the game we leave ourselves open to turnovers by not delivering long enough into the forward line, resulting in a handball & kick from the opposition ending up deep in their forward line.

Having said that I'm sure Roy will have things under control

[heater31]

Centrals comfortably.

Didn't know you were a fisherman Sam (no bites yet).

Ah well still 5 days to go

Realistically though, I think it will be pretty close up til 3 qtr time, then the Dogs will overrun Sturt in the last qtr, not by much, but enough to get home pretty safely in the end, I think the fact Centrals are coming of a really good tough hit-out, whereas Sturt had a fairly cruisey game on Friday, may play a factor, and while sturt did look good, I think Norwood had quite abit to do with that, im not suggesting Sturt are not a good team, but Friday nights win may have them thinking they are a little better than they are.
You would also expect Centrals to be fairly hungry for a win at Unley, with it being 1 of only 2 grounds they lost at last year, its not really a major thing, but its one of very few things Centrals were not able to do last year, so you would think its something they would have set themselves for 2008.

hmmm sam you could be setting yourself up here mate. clearly remember the game at Unley last year some of your supporters were saying similar things. my oh my how the tune changed when it got a little bit tight....