13 and Out! Sturt Gone in Straight Sets
Much like last week against the Dogs, the Double Blues hit the ground running against the Bays. However, Glenelg would have the last laugh, winning by 41 points.
Lead by Max Proud (24 disposals and six rebound 50s) and Cole Gerloff (19 disposals and six clearances), the Bays were able to outwork Sturt on the outside to win the game. Sturt’s clearance dominance saw Tom Lewis (26 disposals and nine tackles) and Will Snelling (26 disposals and eight clearances) play well.
At quarter-time, Sturt led hit-outs (14-7), clearances (11-9) and inside 50s (13-11) as an early Blue storm rolled through the Adelaide Oval. The lead was a 4.2.26 to 3.1.19 score line.
In the middle, it was James Battersby and Tom Lewis doing the hard work, winning clearance after clearance.
However, as good teams do, Glenelg fought back. After McFayden got the first goal of the second term, the Bays midfielders got to work.
Repeat entry after repeat entry finally broke Sturt, as the Tigers were able to get their transition game moving, the same transition game that was so successful against the Eagles in the Elimination Final.
It was Curran, McBean and Reynolds who got the goals to put the Bays in front at the main change, 5.3.33 to 6.2.38.
In the third quarter, it was the Tigers who lacked composure, as they lost the quarter four goals to two. The pressure on both teams was massive, as the game, and both teams’ seasons, hung in the balance.
However, it was the Double Blues who used the ball the best. Glenelg didn’t make life easy on themselves, turning the ball over in the defensive 50 multiple times.
The reigning premiers found another gear in the fourth. Goals to Reynolds, McBean and Allen before the 10-minute mark had the Bays 13 points to the good.
Holder’s second goal made the margin 20 points at the 17 minute mark; it would take a miracle from Sturt to win. That miracle wouldn’t come as Glenelg partied through the Adelaide Oval, powering on for another four goals.
Inside vs outside
In the middle, Sturt were fantastic. They won the clearances (42-34) and gave their forwards first use. From there, the Bays transition football again won them the game. The run and carry off of half back set up multiple scoring chances for the Glenelg forwards.
Sturt’s fast start, but fading finish
After winning 13 games in a row, the Double Blues were beaten badly in both finals. Against the Dogs and Glenelg, Sturt were able to start fast, but were outplayed as the games wore on. In the last quarter of Semi Final One, Glenelg kicked seven goals to none, as Sturt offered no resistance. Fade outs will be something to address at Unley after a disappointing straight sets exit.
Sturt FC: 4.2 5.3 9.3 9.4.58
Glenelg: 3.1 6.2 8.3 14.5.89
Goalkickers:
Sturt FC:
Hone (2), McFayden (2), Thiele (2), Anderson, Battersby, Doyle
Glenelg:
McBean (4), Reynolds (4), Allen (2), Holder (2), Chandler, Curran
Best:
Sturt FC:
Battersby, Lewis, Snelling
Glenelg:
McBean, Gerloff, Proud