R21: Port v Sturt Review

[Macca19]

RESERVES:

Port Adelaide has comprohensively thrashed the Double Blues in the opening game at Alberton today, coming home big victors by 114 points.

The catalyst of the victory was a soul destroying second quarter, which saw Port Adelaide kick 12.4 whilst holding Sturt scoreless for the quarter. It saw a 6 point 1/4 time lead shoot out to an 82 point lead at the main break.

In a strange turn of events considering the final scoreline, Sturt actually outscored Port whilst kicking to the Northern end of the ground. They kicked 7.1 to 4.11 to the Northern end for the match. It was when Port had their turn kicking to that end of the ground that things went wrong for the Double Blues.

Port kicked a total of 21.12 to just 2.4 kicking to the Northern end of Alberton Oval. To go with their 12 goal 2nd term they added 9.8 in the last quarter to storm home and keep their finals chances alive.

Port were best served by Julian Wait who kicked 5 goals playing at Full Forward. Midfielders Roc Harry and Matthew Gates put their hands up for selection again next week with dominant displays in the middle. Tyson Wait continued his solid form across a back flank, whilst Nick Madden was also strong in defence. Reserves debutant Daniel Stanley kicked 3 goals from a forward pocket.

Dropped ruckman Fabian Deluca was most impressive for Sturt, whilst Will Paley kicked 4 goals up forward.

PA 3.6 / 15.10 / 16.15 / 25.23 173
ST 3.0 / 3.0 / 7.1 / 9.5 59

BEST
PA - J Wait, Harry, T Wait, Fitzgerald, Gates, Madden, Sajewicz
ST - Deluca, Paley, Scott-Toms, Wilson

GOALS
PA - J Wait 5; Stanley, #44 3; Gates, Pickett, Miller, Puckridge, Hay 2; Harry, Smith, Dolling, Sajewicz
ST - Paley 4; Deluca 2; Eckermann, Sidebottom, Pupangamirri

SENIORS:
Port Adelaide have continued Sturts recent horror stretch, handing down a 102 point thrashing, Sturts 4th defeat by over 100 points in 5 matches.

Similar to the reserves, it was a dominant 2nd quarter which put the result beyond doubt at half time, with Port kicking 6.5 to just 0.1 in the 2nd term to lead by 71 points at the main break.

The first half was as dominant as Port has been all season. Sturt rarely reached their forward line in the first half, with Port controlling the midfield and keeping the ball forward of centre. Clive Waterhouse kicked 3 goals in the first term to start off his match in great fashion. Jeremy Clayton - starting in a forwad pocket again - also started strongly, setting up a number of scoring opportunities for the Magpies.

Sturt just couldn't maintain possesion in the first half, regularly breaking down across centre and half forward with poor decision making and a non existant half forward line. Tom Hurley and Michael Coad were trying hard but most forward attacks were well handled by John Baird and Corey AhChee.

The 3rd quarter saw Sturt keep tabs on the Magpies, with both sides adding just 2.3 for the quarter. Port lairised far too much and Sturt could have out scored the Magpies by 3-4 goals if it wasnt for poor accuracy in front of goal. Sturt had most of the play with the Magpies unable to get forward of centre for most of the quarter.

A spray from Tim Ginever at 3/4 time shook the Magpies into action in the last quarter. They added 7 goals to 2, with Jeremy Clayton kicking 3 goals for the quarter to finish with 6 for the second week running. Clive Waterhouse also added 2 more to take his total to 7 for the match.

Best for the Magpies was the ever impressive Jeremy Clayton. He kicked 6, set up probably another half dozen and looks to have well gotten over his injuries. Clive Waterhouse kicked 7 to continue his good current form as well. Mark Clayton played arguably his best game as Captain through the midfield, whilst the half back line of Baird, Looby and Tom Carr was strong all day.

Micahel Coad, James Mcleay, Tom Hurley and Tom Rischbeith tried hard all day for Sturt, whilst Nick Smith also looked impressive.

PA 6.2 / 12.7 / 14.10 / 21.15 141
ST 1.2 / 1.3 / 3.6 / 5.9 39

BEST
PA - J Clayton, M Clayton, Waterhouse, Baird, Meiklejohn, Butcher, AhChee
ST - Coad, Hurley, Rischbeith, Mcleay

GOALS
PA - Waterhouse 7; J Clayton 6; Stevens 2; Davis, Thomas, Butcher, Jenner, Summerton
ST - Hurley, Jarvis, Button, Jarjoura, Chambers

[spell_check]

I love your match reports Macca. Certainly worthy of appearing in the Advertiser - people would take notice of well written reports from you.

Btw, that is the highest score in the Reserves this year, and the 1st 100 point margin in the Reserves.

[GWW]

Great write up as always Macca19.

Sounds like Looby had a good game this week which is good. I read on a Port forum that Deluca was ordinary in Sturt's reserves but you mentioned that he did well, so thats quite heartening. Does Eckermann look to you like hes worth perservering with in the AFL squad? I personally think we should delist him and take him as our last rookie selection.

[Macca19]

Looby was decent running out of defence, though he made some skill errors.

I thought Deluca was great in the reserves. I havent been impressed with his development and I was expceting a poor performance today. He won a lot of hitouts, got a fair bit of the ball playing a kick behind the play then went forward as a marking target and kicked 2 and took another couple of marks. Very good game.

Eckermann didnt see much of it in the first half and his skills were poor. His second half was much better. I dont think he'll make it as an AFL footballer

[BPBRB]

When is the last time a coach had two 100 point drubbings in his first 2 games? Sturt deserve the spoon and if not for a 98 point loss it would have been 5 tons on the trot. Maybe have to call Sturt "The Bradmans" as they seem to be able to knock up ton after ton!
Brodies smooth takeover going well at Unley. Love to be in the interview for the permanent job to hear his gme plan?

[Ian]

If only West can win another game this year, then Sturt can have the spoon back.

[am Bays]

This is sad, the last two weeks show that it is not a coaching problem.

The sturt players need to have a good hard look at themseves. Nothing wrong with losing but to lose without effort is unforgivable. You don't cop an average losing margin of 100 five weeks in a row if you play with pride and commitment for the cause.

[Il Duce]

in response to a sturt song sung at the port cheer squad 2 seasons back

the old dubble blues are
back to what they used to be
back to what they used to be

[Blue Boy]

This is sad, the last two weeks show that it is not a coaching problem.

The sturt players need to have a good hard look at themseves. Nothing wrong with losing but to lose without effort is unforgivable. You don't cop an average losing margin of 100 five weeks in a row if you play with pride and commitment for the cause.

Yes it Tassie

But please change that photo as it is still scarin the kids.

[sturtpeter]

Well done Port.

Nice review of the Seconds.

Please tell me again the Final Score in the U17's????

[GWW]

Well done Port.

Nice review of the Seconds.

Please tell me again the Final Score in the U17's????

You're clutching at straws there mate

[sturt1]

Why is it port fans winge about the umpires so much? Its like they think there is conspiracy against them. They stamp their feet, they spray their words, turn red and then . Its not that bad. Do you people need to go to therapy or see a doctor after you go to the footy? This is after you have killed us by 100 points. What about when you lose a game
The cheltenham cemetary is close by for a reason.

[Il Duce]

it cause those people dont know the rules about football and there at every club

[sturtpeter]

Not really clutching at straws.

You were top going into the match and we absolutely gave your juniors a hiding.

Our future rests in the hands of our Juniors (unless they are drafted by the avaricious AFL)

We don't have the luxury of A SA or NA or PM or WWT to allegedly exceed the Cap spending big on VFL seasoned players.