IT WAS a result 1527 days in the making, and while it was perhaps not worth the heartbreaking wait, Sturt fans could still savour the moment with a rare victory over South Adelaide in the SANFLW. The Double Blues defeated the Panthers by 33 points at Thomas Farms Oval, handing South Adelaide a second successive home and away loss for the first time since the opening two rounds of the 2024 season.

However that time difference was nothing compared to the last time the Double Blues sang the song after playing South Adelaide, having to go all the way back to April 23 in 2022. It must be something about that weekend, because the last time South Adelaide and Woodville-West Torrens both lost in the same weekend was the Anzac Day fixture in Round 8, 2024.

Back to the weekend’s match, the clash was evenly poised early, with both sides kicking a goal in the first term via Zina Hunt and Jessica Chyer respectively for the scores to be level at quarter time. However, it was all Sturt from then on. The Double Blues kicked the last six goals of the game and applied immense defensive pressure, keeping the Panthers to just six behinds across the final three quarters.

In that time, the versatile Alex Ballard booted three goals to be the clear standout up forward, while the tall timber of Millie McCarthy and Georgia King, and top-ager Erin Conn also added their names to the scoreboard. While South Adelaide unsurprisingly dominated the hitouts, Sturt won the clearances (30-28) and had more inside 50s (38-28) which set up the victory.

Isobel Kuiper was the standout on the ground for Sturt, amassing 22 disposals, nine tackles, eight clearances, five inside 50s, and three rebound 50s. Grace Powell (13 disposals, three marks, three tackles, three clearances, four inside 50s) and Skout Young (13 disposals, two marks, four tackles, two clearances, three inside 50s) were also prolific through the middle. Up forward, Ballard was the most impactful player on the ground, booting her three goals from nine disposals and four marks.

For the Panthers, experienced ruck Soriah Moon battled hard in defeat with 20 disposals, two marks, eight tackles, 48 hitouts, 10 clearances, and three inside 50s. Chyer kicked South Adelaide’s only goal of the game and finished with 19 disposals, seven marks, four tackles, and five clearances. Olivia Evans (16 disposals, two marks, eight tackles, four inside 50s) and Madison Brown (seven disposals, 12 tackles) also worked tirelessly.

STURT 1.2 | 3.3 | 4.5 | 7.5 (47)
SOUTH ADELAIDE 1.2 | 1.4 | 1.4 | 1.8 (14)

GOALS:
Sturt: A. Ballard 3, E. Conn, M. McCarthy, Z. Hunt, G. King
South Adelaide: J. Chyer

RMC BEST:
Sturt: I. Kuiper, A. Ballard, G. Powell, S. Young, L. Whitcombe
South Adelaide: S. Moon, J. Chyer, O. Evans, M. Brown, T. King

AROUND THE GROUNDS

Norwood continued its strong form with an 11-point victory over the previously undefeated Woodville-West Torrens at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval, 6.7 (43) to 5.2 (32).

Sophie Arkun was the star up forward for the Redlegs, booting 4.1 from 20 disposals, while Jade Halfpenny (27 disposals, three marks, six tackles, eight clearances and four inside 50s) and young gun Mia Wood (25 disposals, two marks, five tackles, six clearances and four inside 50s) dominated through the midfield. Coby Morgan also impressed with 23 disposals, five marks, four clearances, and a goal.

For the Eagles, Tahlita Buethke was outstanding with a game-high 32 disposals, five marks, six tackles, three clearances and six inside 50s. Marlie Fiegert (24 disposals, two marks, three tackles and five clearances) and Annie Falkenberg (22 disposals, four tackles) found plenty of the ball, while Anika Tran kicked two goals.

Central District secured back-to-back wins with a 13-point victory over West Adelaide at X Convenience Oval, 5.3 (33) to 3.2 (20).

Izabella Nisbet (19 disposals, nine tackles, three clearances) and Shelby Smith (19 disposals, seven tackles and four clearances) led the way for the Bulldogs. Tesharna Maher was crucial up forward, kicking 3.0 from five disposals.

For the Bloods, Iilish Ross (31 disposals, three marks, five tackles, 12 clearances and four inside 50s) and Zoe Venning (28 disposals, five marks, seven tackles and eight clearances) were prolific, while Stevie-Lee Thompson laid 12 tackles.

North Adelaide returned to the winners’ list with a comfortable 23-point victory over Glenelg at Revo Fitness Oval, 4.8 (32) to 1.3 (9).

Julia Clark (20 disposals, two marks, seven tackles, four clearances, seven inside 50s) and Aprille Crooks (19 disposals, two marks, 10 tackles, three clearances, four inside 50s) were strong contributors for the Roosters. Amber Ward also had an impact with 2.1 from nine disposals and six tackles.

For the Bays, Asha Dufour was the standout with 28 disposals, six marks, 10 clearances, and four rebound 50s, while Cassie McWilliam gathered 17 disposals, 22 hitouts, four tackles, and a goal.