SANFL 2006 ROUND 16: STURT
v WOODVILLE-WEST TORRENS
Sturt smashed
By ROB BIDMEADE
STURT is a club in turmoil because of a series of massive defeats this
season - the latest a 119-point drubbing by the Eagles at Unley Oval last
Saturday.
The Double Blues lost by 90 points against South at Noarlunga
in round 13 and then by 75 points against the Port Magpies at Adelaide Oval to
shatter their supporters.
But the fans are set for more anguish this season as the team struggles
to be competitive for an entire game because of the lack of experience in the
line-up.
At least young players, who have been blooded because of a long injury
list and Adam Klun, Andrew Beveridge and Adrian
Burton leaving the club, have gained some invaluable game time at league level.
This week's bye comes at an ideal time for Sturt before it meets
reigning premier Central at Adelaide Oval.
Some of the injured players such as captain
Ben Nelson, Ben Colreavy, Luke Jarjoura
and Andrew Whiteman may be available for the clash against the Bulldogs to
boost the stocks.
Despite regaining some confidence after a 55-point victory against
wooden spoon rival West at Broadspectrum Oval, the
Double Blues were swamped by the Eagles in the first quarter.
Saturday's game was over as a contest at quarter-time when the Eagles
led by 54 points after scoring 10 goals to one in a brilliant display in the
first term. The Double Blues played their best football for the game in the
second quarter with six goals to four but they still trailed by 39 points at
the long break.
Sturt only scored another four goals for the second half while the
Eagles kicked 17 goals including 10 in a dominant effort in the final quarter,
which left Double Blues' fans stunned.
The Sturt defence, which has had the most points scored against it this
season, was unable to deal with the Eagles' potent attack of Mark Passador (10 goals), David Westbrook (six goals) and Adam Grocke (five goals).
This is the area where the Double Blues are clearly lacking in
experience with debutant Nick Smith the latest to be thrown into the deep end
of league football.
Sturt forward Brant Chambers played a lone hand in attack to kick three
goals to take his tally to 49 for the season.
But he let himself down with some inaccuracy in front of goal, kicking
four behinds.
Port Power rookie Greg Bentley, 19, showed
promise to be the best for Sturt, which struggled to have players who
contributed throughout the game.
Sean O'Keefe, who had a 50-possession game against the Bloods the
previous week, was another to stand out for the inept Double Blues.
After the crunch game against the Bulldogs, Sturt will be at home
against Glenelg and South and the Double Blues need to win at least one of
these matches to stay ahead of the Bloods.
The coaching staff at Unley face a mountain to
climb in reviving the players' morale during the break to meet the challenges
ahead.
SCORES: Woodville-West
BEST: Eagles – Passador,
Cicolella,
GOALS: Eagles – Passador
10, Westbrook 6, Grocke 5, Cicolella,
Rugolo 3, Powell, Shattock,
Jarrad, P.Fiacchi; Sturt –
Chambers 3, Button, Weatherald 2, Bentley, Taylor,
Herring, Paley.