IN ONE of the more peculiar games of football you will see, a total of 68 points were scored, with the first 34 going the way of Sturt, and the next 34 going the way of Woodville-West Torrens. One might say by the time the final siren sounded the scores were level, but in fact it took a Klaudia O’Neill checkside from the boundary to level the match with a behind to make it 5.4 (34) apiece.

Woodville-West Torrens headed into the second game of a double-header at the Eagles’ homeground confident of coming away with a good result, having recruited strongly over the off-season and ready and raring to go. The minor premiers were favourites against a Sturt side that had a new coach in Ange Foley, and a near-identical list to the one that took the double Blues to a preliminary final last year.

By the time Georgia King kicked her second goal just three and a half minutes into the third term, Sturt lead 5.4 (34) to 0.0 (0) with the home crowd somewhat in shock at what had unfolded. The Eagles – a team known for its scoring power in 2025 – had not troubled the goal umpires, and Sturt, who had missed a few opportunities as well, were completely in control at both ends of the ground.

But, you can never keep a good team down. When top-age talent Julia Faulkner set up ex-Norwood recruit Jiarna Zerella with the Eagles’ first, it was like the monkey was off the back and the Eagles were away. A few minutes later Alice Tentye made it two, and by the time O’Neill had finally got her chance, the Eagles were back to within 15 points at the final break.

Sturt defender Isabella Drew had done a fantastic job on restricting O’Neill, competing well in the one-on-ones and really saving the Double Blues on a number of occasions. Up the other end, it was youngster Madeline Nuss looking dangerous each time she went near the ball, booting two goals alongside King as the pair helped manfacture the lead.

However when the fourth quarter started, it was very clear the momentum was completely different to the start of the other quarters. From the opening few minutes, Woodville-West Torrens dominated forward half territory and set up around the arc to stop any easy Sturt exits. Somehow the Double Blues stood tall, but not before Marlie Fiegert and Zerella cut the deficit to under a kick.

Time and time again the Double Blues defence stood up as it was like a firing squad from the Eagles pumping the ball inside 50 and for most, it seemed like the dam wall was about to break. Bit by bit the Eagles continued to thrust forward, and when Ruby Lynch streamed out of the forward stoppage and looked to nail the match-winner from 20m out everyone was up and about. However the left-footer tugged the kick for a behind, and then just one-point separated the two teams in the dying seconds.

It looked like Sturt had held on remarkably when the siren sounded, but amongst the celebrations, the umpire’s whistle had blown awarding a free kick to O’Neill. The last player you would normally want with ball in hand, the only saving grace for Sturt was the fact she would line up on the boundary with the tightest possible angle and no chance of running off her mark.

Her attempt considering the angle was very good, and though she missed, her teammates got around her knowing she had secured the Eagles what could be a valuable point down the track. For Sturt, it was a case of what could have been given the 34-point lead, but also credit has to be given to the side for not packing up with all the momentum for the opposition.

Without a doubt best on ground had to go to Isobel Kuiper who stuffed the stats sheet across four quarters with 37 disposals, nine marks, nine tackles, eight clearances adn seven rebound 50s to record 14 more touches than any other player on the ground. Her experience along with Drew and Alex Ballard (17 disposals, seven rebound 50s and four tackles) was vital, while Alex Pearce (15 disposals, 23 hitouts and four clearances) made a welcome return in the ruck.

Tentye looked like she has not missed a beat over the off-season and went to another level through the middle with 23 disposals, 14 tackles, four clearances, two inside 50s, three rebound 50s and a goal. Norwood recruit Tahlita Buethke provided plenty of run on the outside, while Faulkner, Lynch and Lucy Moore showed how crucial they are to the Eagles’ side with the trio of top-agers all impressing through the midfield and pushing forward. In her 100th game, Leah Cutting had 35 hitouts from 13 disposals.

WWT EAGLES 0.0 | 0.0 | 3.1 | 5.4 (34)
STURT 4.3 | 4.3 | 5.4 | 5.4 (34)

GOALS:
WWT Eagles: J. Zerella 2, K. O’Neill, M. Fiegert, A. Tentye
Sturt: G. King 2, M. Nuss 2, M. McCarthy

RMC BEST:
WWT Eagles: A. Tentye, J. Faulkner, L. Moore, R. Lynch, T. Buethke
Sturt: I. Kuiper, I. Drew, A. Ballard, A. Pearce, M. Nuss

AROUND THE GROUNDS

Central District answered the question of who was kicking the goals this season in the absence of Katelyn Rosenzweig with ‘everyone’ as the Dogs had six individual goalkickers amongst eight majors to defeat the Roosters, 8.8 (56) to 4.5 (29). Giants Academy recruits Aoife Berry and Ella Randall booted multiple goals, while premiership skipper Shelby Smith racked up 21 disposals in her return game like she had never left. Julia Clark (21 disposals, eight tackles, five clearances, four marks and a goal) stood out for North Adelaide in defeat.

West Adelaide was ahead when the siren sounded at a wind-swept Magain Stadium, defeating Glenelg in an entertaining game, 9.4 (58) to 8.6 (54). In a battle of two sides who finished bottom three but will be looking to rise up the ladder this season, the Bloods booted six of their nine goals in the second term, while Glenelg kicked all eight goals up that same end. Reigning league best and fairest winner Zoe Venning brought her own ball with 38 disposals, 13 clearances, eight marks and six inside 50s, while youngsters Chelsea Newitt and Sarah Deed combined for five goals. Isla Wiencke starred in her Glenelg debut wijth 29 disposals, 10 tackles and seven clearances.

Meanwhile South Adelaide got its quest for a three-peat rolling, shaking off an early resistance from Norwood to win, 5.10 (40) to 2.2 (14). The wind made life difficult for both sides, with five of the game’s seven goals coming in the second term, and South only kicking six behinds after the main break. It mattered little though as the Panthers – through the likes of Soriah Moon (24 disposals, six marks, 18 hitouts and seven clearances) and Layla Vizgaudis (22 disposals, five tackles, seven clearances and four inside 50s) were amongst the best. Norwood skipper Jade Halfpenny and bottom-age jet Lani Cocks were sensational for the Redlegs.