STURT has taken out the SANFL Under 18 premiership after outlasting West Adelaide in a 57-point victory at Adelaide Oval on Sunday. Having ridden a double chance after their qualifying final loss to Westies just a fortnight ago, the Double Blues exacted revenge when it mattered most.

The Bloods ended up with as many behinds as Sturt did goals, with their front half inefficiency highlighted by the 2.12 (24) scoreline, and a greater inside 50 count of 48-36. The more polished Sturt controlled possession though their prolific slick-kicking defenders and took toll on the scoreboard.

Compounding the one-sided final score were Sturt’s seven consecutive goals to run out the match – including five unanswered in the final quarter. State representative Blake Thredgold took home the Alan Stewart Medal as the player adjudged best afield, for his reliable work in Sturt’s backline.

WEST ADELAIDE 1.2 | 1.6 | 2.10 | 2.12 (24)
STURT 2.1 | 4.3 | 7.6 | 12.9 (81)

GOALS:
West Adelaide: O. Charlesworth, T. Brain
Sturt: N. Mennillo 2, G. James 2, A. Mills 2, I. Wilkinson, L. Kellaway, N. Mitchell, J. Nelson, L. Werts, S. White

BEST:
West Adelaide: L. Pitt, L. White, H. Illman, F. Dillon, O. Charlesworth
Sturt: B. Thredgold, J. Dahlitz, K. Matthews-Hampton, N. Mennillo, L. Kellaway

WEST ADELAIDE:

#6 Lucas White | Forward
Stats: 21 disposals, 4 marks, 4 inside 50s

White was West Adelaide’s leading possession getter and proved particularly productive in the first half. He played the high forward role to a t, working hard up the ground and helping his side transition into attack with great energy. White combined well with teammates on the outside and put speed on the ball, looking dangerous when able to sneak out the back. His two best chances to score came in the second term, missing on the run and from a set shot in similar positions.

#8 Fletcher Dillon | Defender
Stats: 15 disposals, 6 marks, 5 tackles

One of his side’s most reliable defensive pieces, Dillon provided a cool head behind the ball. He started to get busy in the second quarter and went on to make several clean intercepts, showcasing a strong leap and good hands overhead. Dillon was also efficient and composed when distributing the ball, while adding a touch of flair with his ability to collect ground balls further afield, before spinning away with a blind turn.

#22 Oliver Charlesworth | Forward
Stats: 12 disposals, 5 marks, 1 goal

With star prospect Mitchell Marsh well contained, Charlesworth became West Adelaide’s attacking centrepiece. His ability to hit up on the lead or stick strong overhead marks made him a viable aerial presence in the front half, helping connect up the line or heading inside 50. Charlesworth also held his own in one-on-one or pack situations, flying bravely to get first hands on the ball. He did so with a terrific mark at half-forward before playing on to slot one of his side’s two goals from outside 50 in the first quarter. He looked on track for a big day in the opening half.

#40 Hamish Illman | Defender
Stats: 17 disposals, 8 marks, 3 rebound 50s

Illman took little time to show he was up for the fight, attacking the ball hard to crash a few contests in the early exchanges. He also popped up to clunk intercept marks and was a viable outlet when West Adelaide looked to transition out of defence. Illman’s punchy left-foot kicking brought efficiency and impetus to that style of play, often moving the ball on quickly to hit a target.

#48 Lincoln Pitt | Ruck
Stats: 15 disposals, 8 marks, 22 hitouts

Arguably West Adelaide’s best player afield, Pitt did all he could to set the tone in the ruck. He also provided outstanding support for his defence, dropping behind the ball to take several strong marks throughout the day. Pitt’s physical presence was felt around stoppages as he won the hitout count and prised an equal game-high six clearances, although struggled to take full toll with his bombing kicks out of congestion. When the ball came back his way, he was a brick wall.

STURT:

#10 Taj Garrett | Wing
Stats: 25 disposals, 12 marks, 5 inside 50s

If one thing is for certain, it’s that Garrett has an innate ability for racking up possessions. Operating in the expanses of Adelaide Oval, he consistently found space to be an outlet as Sturt moved the ball between the arcs. His ability to add fluency to the play led to several fruitful attacks, even if some of his end product was impacted by the pressure and physicality of the contest. He’ll be a star player for years to come.

#26 Noah Roberts-Thomson | Midfielder
Stats: 15 disposals, 6 marks, 6 clearances

While not as prolific as usual, Roberts-Thomson had some moments of strength and power throughout the day. His hands were supremely clean in the clinches, digging in to win six clearances and translating that trait to marking influence around the ground. The top-ager also showed good core strength and agility to slip tackles, while utilising his darting left foot to supply bullet passes to teammates.

#30 Louis Kellaway | Midfielder
Stats: 17 disposals, 8 marks, 7 tackles

Dropping under 20 disposals for just the second time in 16 games this season, Kellaway still managed to make his mark. He acted as the stoppage sweeper and read the ball off rucks’ hands to win first possession, folding in on the contest when required and feeding teammates on the outside. The Richmond father-son hopeful found it a little harder to be expansive around the ground, but positioned expertly front-and-centre inside 50 to snap a crumbing goal in the final quarter.

#36 Jett Dahlitz | Defender
Stats: 37 disposals, 14 marks, 11 rebound 50s

Dahlitz would have run close to winning best on ground honours having led all comers in a typically industrious display. He hit 20 touches before half time and was the player Sturt often looked to feed when transitioning out of defence. Dahlitz repaid the faith with his outstanding kicking skills, going by foot 33 times to either hit targets under pressure on the last line, or launch the play long into attack. He was composed in tricky situations and seemingly ran free all day, thriving when Sturt was able to push its defensive line high where he could do serious damage.

#41 Kale Matthews-Hampton | Defender
Stats: 25 disposals, 10 marks, 6 rebound 50s

Another player who displayed great intensity early in the piece, Matthews-Hampton applied himself to lay tackles and attack the ball with vigour. He ventured high up the ground in typically daring fashion, transitioning with his speed and foot skills. The bottom-ager also showcased his aerial ability and was one of the many Sturt defenders who dined out on a high-possession style of play.

#45 Blake Thredgold | Defender
Stats: 14 disposals, 12 marks, 3 tackles

Reliable as ever in the defensive half, Thredgold beat out a prolific and talented field to be named best on ground. The key defender started with the Marsh matchup and while capable of locking down, also peeled off to influence the attacking phase. Thredgold competed well aerially and showed some dash to launch the ball forward in his unique, slightly unorthodox way. He worked into all the right spots and did just about everything required of him, whether shutting down West Adelaide attacks or getting ahead of the ball to be the next link in the chain.

#60 Harvey Chapman | Defender
Stats: 21 disposals, 9 marks, 4 rebound 50s

Along with fellow Under 16 All-Australian Taj Garrett, Chapman showed craft and composure beyond his years. The tall defender intercepted reliably throughout the day, proving clean overhead and quickly shifting tact to start transitional play. He relied on his favoured left side to move the ball on, efficiently going short or driving long with good penetration.