STURT held on against a Kiana Lee-inspired Norwood outfit to moved two points clear inside the top four with a third straight win. The Double Blues coaching staff would have had some nervous moments late as not for the first time Lee looked like being the match-winner for the Redlegs. However despite trimming a 22-point deficit back to three at Thomas Farms Oval, it was too little too late for the visitors who went down 7.3 (45) to 6.6 (42).

When Sturt top-ager Edwina Thornquest found Claudia Edmonds all alone inside 50 for the wing to slam home her second in the 14th minute of the third quarter, the game was wholly on Sturt’s terms. The last time Norwood lead was 20 minutes earlier when Lee slammed home hers second goal from a tight angle 15m out.

Trailing by two at that stage, Sturt surged to boot four unanswered goals and blow the game open to what looked like an unassailable 22-point margin. Norwood needed four goals and had only kicked three to the final break, so needed one early.

Fortunately for the visitors the pressure valve was released a little when Amelia Rusden converted a clever snap shortly after Mykaela Walker had missed a long-range attempt. Zara Walsh was rushed up the other end and only resulted in a behind, but Sturt managed to keep the ball away from the Norwood attacking end for the bulk of the next five or so minutes.

However there was always going to be a fierce charge by last year’s grand finalists, so when Jade Halfpenny combined with Lee – who won a free kick for holding 40m out – it spelled trouble for Sturt. Lee went back and launched with such confidence it never looked like missing. A few minutes later she clunked a two-grab mark in a near identical situation and slotted that major like it was nothing as well.

All of a sudden, that 22-point lead was just four and it was well and truly game on. Perhaps the most bizzare moments of the last quarter came in those dying minutes when Sarah Branford won a free kick 40m from goal. A little far out to score, she looked for a lead and could not believe her luck when Lee – who at this stage might have expected three players hanging off her – somehow found space with no one in front.

She took the mark just 30m out straight in front. After nailing the past two, this was the easiest of the three. But in an unfortunate twist for Norwood and a massive sigh of relief for Sturt, the shot sprayed to the right for just one behind.

While the danger was not over for Sturt, the Double Blues were able to get it to the wing and after repeat stoppages keep it there for the siren to sound at the 20 and a half minute mark of the quarter. It was a game the home side deserved to win, though nearly let it slip, while for Norwood, marginally missing the chance to win would be disappointing, but the focus will be on that third term where Sturt did all the damage.

The teams were so even during the match they had an identical amount of disposals (207 apiece) while running at high efficiencies with their disposals, 79 and 74 per cent respectively for Sturt and Norwood. While the Redlegs marginally won the hitout battle, the Double Blues – courtesy of star onballer Isobel Kuiper – won the clearances, while also having four more inside 50s in the match.

Kuiper won the Ellen Maple Medal for her performance which netted her 28 disposals, five marks – one contested – 15 tackles, 12 clearances, three inside 50s, four rebounds 50s and a goal, as she and Lee (15 disposals, six marks – one contested – four tackles and four goals were their respective side’s clear best on teh day.

Sturt’s side was relatively even with both Saskia Reynolds and Edmonds booting two goals each, the former putting in her Goal of the Year contender from the boundary under pressure. Isabella Drew, Grace Powell and Sophie Thredgold all found plenty of the ball, with Jasmin Fejo having a great battle with Kate Alexander in the ruck.

While Lee did all she could for her side, the experience of Halfpenny through the middle (16 disposals, two marks, four tackles, four clearances, three inside 50s and two rebound 50s) was crucial, while Sarah Branford, Candice Belbin, Georgie Jaques and defender Emily Bartsch all caught the eye.

Sturt has a tough assignment in Round 6 going up against reigning premiers South Adelaide at Unley next Sunday morning, while for Norwood, it has a must-win game against the winless Glenelg on Anzac Day with the loser likely slipping three to four games outside the top four just one game off the midway point of the season.

STURT 1.1 | 4.2 | .7.2 | 7.4 (45)
NORWOOD 2.1 | 3.3 | 3.4 | 6.6 (42)

GOALS:
Sturt: C. Edmonds 2, S. Reynolds 2, Z. Walsh, M. McCarthy, I. Kuiper

Norwood: K. Lee 4, M. Walker, A. Rusden

RMC BEST:
Sturt: I. Kuiper, S. Reynolds, C. Edmonds, I. Drew, J. Fejo
Norwood: K. Lee, J. Halfpenny, S. Branford, G. Jaques, E. Bartsch