Snelling’s Show as Double Blues Blow Tigers Away
On ANZAC Day, it was Sturt who got their revenge on Glenelg for last year’s Grand Final. The Double Blues led at every change and looked in cruise control to run out 38 point winners.
"Outside Grand Final day, its the best day to play footy," Glenelg's senior head coach, Darren Reeves said prior to the game.
"The opportunity to play football on that day is fantastic for our players."
"It's a real honour, to play on days like this,” Sturt's senior head coach, Marty Mattner said, echoing his Glenelg counterpart's thoughts.
Another opportunity Glenelg received was the chance to host the game. In the SANFL, the reigning premiers host the ANZAC Day game as reward for the previous year's efforts.
On the game being held at Stratarama Stadium, Reeves said this:
"Our supporters come out and watch most weeks. We've had some big games over the last couple of years and some big crowds to go along with that."
Lachlan Hosie, 2023's Ken Farmer and Jack Oatey Medalist, hasn't lost his form from last year. The Tigers' ace starting 2024 with 12 goals in four SANFL games and another four in the SANFL's win over the VFL over the Gather Round weekend.
"His ability to be able to hit the scoreboard is strong," Reeves said when asked about Hosie.
"He needs to be able to do the other stuff, and that's important."
On the other side of the fence, Hosie’s abilities weren’t lost on Mattner;
"We've tried different things, [to stop Hosie] the last few times," Mattner said on Hosie
"We've tried to find the right player to stop him, but also expose him defensively."
However on Thursday it was Will Coomblas who kept the Tigers showstopper silent.
After Hosie got the first goal, it was Coomblas who won the battle; he would end up with 12 disposals and six marks to help Sturt get on top of the game. Meanwhile, Hosie would finish the day with five disposals.
For Sturt, Will Snelling's start to 2024 has been incredible.
Snelling is averaging 31 disposals, and was coming off a 28 disposal, one goal and five clearance game against the Roosters in Round 3.
However, Reeves didn’t look to tag the former Power and Bomber player. He had this to say pre-game:
"It’s not traditionally the way we've gone about it.
"We've got a reasonably talented midfield as well. At this stage we will go head to head, [however] at different times players might go to him. We feel like our guys will get their jobs done."
Reeves decision to let Snelling roam free would prove damaging. He would end the day with 33 disposals, eight clearances and 18 tackles, to end up being awarded the Bob Quinn medalist, the ANZAC Day medal given to the player adjudged the best afield.
"It's been really impressive, but I wouldn't expect anything less from Will," Mattner said on Snelling.
"He's been great from the group and with Tom [Lewis] being out, he's helped us in terms of our midfield battle.
"As a leader, [he's] been really important."
Next up, Glenelg host West Adelaide on Saturday afternoon at 2:10. For Sturt, a road trip up North, taking on the undefeated Central District Football Club at X-Convenience Oval in the same timeslot.
Glenelg: 2.1 2.4 4.5 6.8.44
Sturt: 4.4 5.8 10.15 11.16.82
Goalkickers:
Glenelg: O. Adams, M. Allen, C. Gerloff, L. Hosie, L. Reynolds, H. Stagg
Sturt: C. McFadyen, (4), S. Conforti, (2), D. Fahey-Sparks, (2), L. Giacometti, J. Hone, J. Richards
Best:
Glenelg: J. Scharenberg, M. Snook, M. Allen
Sturt: W. Snelling, C. Voss, F. Perez