Sturt vs Dogs scores

[Grahaml]

Interesting comments about the dogs getting a lot of soft free kicks. I personally thought the soft free kick count was won by Sturt. Anyway, thought overall the umpiring was too touchy for such a hard game. And not only was it touchy, but there were many things missed that were blatant free kicks.

Anyway, Jimmy, here goes my best match report from the dogs point of view(although it is tough to do without sounding like whingeingwhen you lose!).

Thought overall, our skills and decision making were poor. No doubt in part assisted by Sturt's pressure (which was much greater than anything thrown at us to date this season) but many players made poor decisions even when not under pressure. Gowans trying to be cute in the middle of the ground after taking a mark comes to mind. Several times we managed to turn the ball over at half back or half forward, and the players who did the hard work to get ahead of the play were suddenly penalised because there opponents were now forward of the play and free. Chambers had a field day on poor Grima because of this. Grima didn't play a game that deserved to have 7 kicked on him, but Chambers' clever positioning when the opportunities presented and the delivery he got made him well deserving of a 7 goal haul. Sounds a bit strange, but hope you get the idea. Simply put, we cannot afford to cough the ball up and allow the opposition to run towards the 50 without pressure, or goals will be too easy. In the end, I thought at least we dictated enough of the play to win most of the time. We clean up our skills and decision making and I'm confident we will take the game next time.

Individually, I thought Schell was superb. In fact, thought he was close to BOG. Was a collossus at CHB and took many strong marks, while not allowing his opponent the chance to become a strong target. Also spoiled the ball to our runners' advantage. Havelberg looked good up forward, but would have liked some better service. Goodrem played some good hard footy, his hands are magnificent, especially when running full pelt towards the ball for the mark or to gather the bouncing ball. Gave us an important avenue across half forward when needed. The Gowans boys also did some great stuff in the middle of the ground, and their skills up forward were uyseful at times. Unfortunately they weren't quite their usual efficient selves the whole game, which makes me wonder whether they were just too keyed up for the game. Thomas also provided a lot of run and drive, but again his skills let him down a few too many times. Other than that, it was hard to find many significant winners. In fact many contests across the ground were pretty close to breaking even, which I guess led to the closeness of the contest. Thought that although Slattery got a chunk of ball he wasn't damaging enough.

On the flip side, Lawry played his first poor game IMO. For a guy to come across, play first grade SANFL for the first time and hold down CHF in a forward line that has lost 2 key targets already this season I'm more than happy it's taken 9 games for his first poor one. He did look like he might be on for another ripper early when he gave the goals a scare from the square (and just to show how big a leg he's got, it was nothing more than a chip that sailed past the top of the post!) Wilson was very poor. In fact I wonder whether he was carrying an injury into the game. It seemed very odd to have him start on the bench, and when he did come on he was unusually poor with his skills and decision making. Even under no pressure at all, he dropped the simplest of chest marks. Hopefully it was just a poor one and not a sign he's carrying something. We probably missed most of all though one of our midfield to really have an effect. Thought Thompson did damage every time he as near the ball for Sturt, and we really probably lacked the same thing our way. One of Slade, O'Sullivan, Callinan, Dutschke, Switala, Cochrane, Ware, Slattery and anyone else playing the role of runner really needs to do the same in each game. I know it's a team game, but you simply must have a midfield winner. It felt to me like we didn't.

For Sturt, the first and foremost thing they did was put the pressure on. Absolutly A1 it was. This alone will win them games, and it's good to see it's come into their game so early. Obviously many players saw what Ricky did as a player and know he's on the money when he says what is needed to win. And good on the senior blokes for not thinking they're too smart to listen, because these are the guys leading from the front. They have retained a lot of the "seagull" style of hanging back a little for the turnover to happen, but instead of it negating their own defensive abilities it just seemed to improve their attacking prowess and this run was lethal at times. The blend of the 2003-5 Sturt running game that seemed so easy to break apart and the hardness that typifies the dogs style is working marvellously, and given what I saw there is no reason why it won't work in the finals. I also appreciated the way they kept coming back at the dogs. Severl times in the second half it looked like they were going to fall behind and get done pretty comfortably, but they just kept on finding a way to peg a couple of goals back and finally had the lead when it mattered. I know it was officially a 7 point win but I'm sure everyone at the game realised the game was won before the last goal was kicked. In my opinion, it was really a 1 point win, and the way they fought and defended that lead in the last couple of minutes would have pleased anyone wearing 2 different tones of blue.

Must also give a special mention to Chambers. I've been critic #1 of Chambers for a long time. Terms like "flat tracked bully" and "cheap goals" have sprung readily from me, and they have been warranted. Saturday, for the first time, I saw a guy with more than one trick, and while Grima was helpless often, Chambers did what every good full forward should be doing: he presented, got into dangerous positions and finished off. Best game I've seen him play by miles.

All in all, Sturt have asked some serious questions of the dogs. Namely how we will handle pressure and how will we create drive from the midfield that seemed to be lacking. And how to stop the run (although not turning the ball over will help that!). Dogs will improve, so I'm sure the Sturt people will also be keen to keep improving. The skills will get better, structure (especially up forward) needs a little work but with blokes coming back this will be sorted out shortly. We also need to find a way not to get as cramped for room as we did at Unley.

Sturt also have sent a message to the comp that they are not only serious finals contenders, but serious flag contenders as well. With North going down, Sturt are IMHO clearly the #1 challengers to the dogs ATM, with Norwood also putting their hands up now. As I see it the dogs still deserve billing ahead of the rest, but there is now a chasing back of Sturt, North and Norwood eager for a crack, with Port and the Eagles both surprisingly (to me at least) fighting for respectability.

Anyway, good on Sturt, hope it didn't sound like a whinge or anything like that, boo to the 22 year drought breaking, go the dogs and bring on round 2!

[Grahaml]

Gees, I go on a bit.

[Jimmy]

gl, great report mate and it sounded fine, a little whingey but not the typical bs that gets sprouted, i know a loss like that is hard to take, a close loss just itches in a spot you cant reach. it was a great read and very honest too.

I must say tho, Chambers always fights hard for his goals, cheap goals??? nah, its just the opporunities he gets thru his defensive work. He is clearly the hardest working FF in the comp. No way do you finish as high as he did last year in the farmer medal and not be a quality FF when your team wins 3 games. Full credit to him for sticking to it. He is rewarding himself for the hard yards he put in during the preseason. And Rick has had a huge part in his play this year. Its just fantastic to watch him (on the DVD's ofcourse) play this way. And kick straight!!!

As i have said on other thread, i want to see sturt play at this level more and get a win over north, legs and the eags, and starting with a win this week against port too before I can really excited about finals etc...

anyway, great report and a great win by my baby blues....they have given me the biggest smile for the week!!!!!!!!!!

[sturtpeter]

For the first time in my tender life I am stoked, speechless and wrapped.


Thank u very much to bulldogproud for his congratulatory message. You're an absolute legend.


To Sam!

You are a totally unique, fantastic guy, much like me lol


To the Central supporters I said congratulations to at the 18 minute mark of the last Quarter ...No Comment!!!

I was being gracious in defeat yet I was constantly ridiculed. KARMA!!!


Brant Chambers is the best FF since Tim Evans and my best mate at Sturt, Luke Crane is nothing short of an absolute SUPERSTAR.

I think Stuart Totham and the entire Board deserve the heartiest congratulations in giving us LOYAL Double Blue Fans hope for the next few seasons.


Sam Miles and Matty Jaensch are unique guys as is Thomas Hurley, one of the most genuine guys you'd ever wish to meet.

Guess who I'm dressing up as for our Ball on Lukey Crane's 22nd Birthday?

A Hollywood Legend. But...not as legendary as Ricky. A solid character who has the principles and discipline typical of Central people.


Go Sturt!!!!

SturtPeter VP SFC

[johntheclaret]

All good news for the competition. One swallow doesn't make a summer, but it sure is good that Sturt won yesterday. Well done boys.
Sounds like another classic of a game too. Even if it wasn't on telly, if it gets people talking about it at work, or in the pub, then it must be good for future crowds. This year is so unpredictable it's not real. Next week Westies will pull in a two pointer and Port win at Sturt, just to keep it nice and interesting. Think south might be punished for yesterdays defeat and North will have to overcome one of their bogey sides.

Possible table after next week (Assuming North win at the Bays tomorrow)

CDFC..... 18 if they win at South
Sturt..... 12 if they lose to PAM
North..... 11 if they beat Bays and lose to WWT
Eagles....10 if they beat north
Port.......10 if they beat Sturt
Norwood.10 Bye
West......6 if they beat Glenelg
South.....5
Glenelg...2 Wooden Spoon

What a word "if" is....

Mate, every post on here that forecasts or predicts an event of anykind is an if or but. That's what makes it interesting.

Dutchy, Ignore this drivel,

[Jimmy]

All good news for the competition. One swallow doesn't make a summer, but it sure is good that Sturt won yesterday. Well done boys.
Sounds like another classic of a game too. Even if it wasn't on telly, if it gets people talking about it at work, or in the pub, then it must be good for future crowds. This year is so unpredictable it's not real. Next week Westies will pull in a two pointer and Port win at Sturt, just to keep it nice and interesting. Think south might be punished for yesterdays defeat and North will have to overcome one of their bogey sides.

Possible table after next week (Assuming North win at the Bays tomorrow)

CDFC..... 18 if they win at South
Sturt..... 12 if they lose to PAM
North..... 11 if they beat Bays and lose to WWT
Eagles....10 if they beat north
Port.......10 if they beat Sturt
Norwood.10 Bye
West......6 if they beat Glenelg
South.....5
Glenelg...2 Wooden Spoon

What a word "if" is....

Mate, every post on here that forecasts or predicts an event of anykind is an if or but. That's what makes it interesting.

Dutchy, Ignore this drivel,

you put the kiss of death on em mate

[johntheclaret]

Jimmy, you are like a dog with 2 d$%ks after Saturday. Fair play to ya mate.

[zipzap]

Great wrap Grahaml

[Dutchy]

Sam Miles and Matty Jaensch are unique guys

"Unique" is one way of putting it!!!!!

[Silky skills]

I think Sturt Peter might be onto something there, im sure Inside 50 agrees also..

[Dutchy]

I think Sturt Peter might be onto something there, im sure Inside 50 agrees also..

Shut up Silky....by the way did you smash Smiles on the weekend?

[Silky skills]

Yeah we won by PLENTY

[Dutchy]

Yeah we won by PLENTY

I know that, I mean did you line up Smiles?

[sturt1]

I know I'm going over old ground but what a great game. Centrals were beaten by a side more desperate and disciplined than themselves. But why o' why didn't someone call for a head count of Sturt as their bench players ran onto the ground before the field umpires had officially signalled the end of the game.

For the same reason train sirens prematurely end games at elizabeth

[Silky skills]

No but there was lots of cheeky banta going around