Sturt coach Rick Macgowan would have made the return drive up the freeway from Murray Bridge last night content to have the two premiership points locked away.

There is not much more he can take out of yesterday's 70-point victory over a lacklustre South Adelaide at Johnstone Park.

The percentage will be handy although the Double Blues are already healthy in that area and should secure a vital top three spot on the ladder going into the finals.

The SANFL must be applauded for taking its competition to the country. Too bad the match failed to advertise just how good a league it controls.

"It is a pity it was not a great game of footy to showcase to the country people," Macgowan admitted. "They watch AFL these days and probably don't get a good appreciation what sort of standard the SANFL is."

A Panthers gear steward asked this journo to be kind in his report. That is not going to be an easy task if a honest appraisal is to be submitted.

Put simply, the Panthers were woeful.

Consider this – the Double Blues had 45 scoring shots to 15. The margin should have been at least three-figures.

There is no doubt the Panthers were fighting out of their class. But that does not stop players putting their bodies on the line and having a red-hot go, rather than too often looking for the easy option.

On-baller James Boyd and youngster Peter Rolfe can't be grouped with those who need to question their commitment at this level, Tom Hateley worked tirelessly in defence and Brendon Lade dominated when in ruck as well as being strong in the marking contests.

Sturt wasted scoring chances with the strong wind at its back in the first quarter to lead by 28 points at the first change.

But it put the game all but out of reach of the Panthers in the second term with an amazing 7.5 bag against the wind, while restricting its opponents to just two goals.

The Double Blues on-ball brigade took full control to provide a constant feed to highly-potent forward weapons Michael Coad and Brant Chambers.

When the Panthers did go into attack, their delivery was a nightmare for the forwards, allowing the composed and disciplined Sturt defence to dominate. Former Panther Scott McGlone sparked plenty of run from the half-back line, along with Andrew Whiteman. Too many Panthers did not have the necessary work ethic to challenge the talented Blues and would-be tacklers were effortlessly brushed aside.

"The second quarter was the most disappointing quarter out of the five games I have coached the side," Panthers coach Clay Sampson said. "We were very unaccountable, didn't have any ball winners and players who wanted to win the football."

After Sturt charged to a 62-point half-time lead, the match degenerated into a dull affair and one which will definitely not be going to the pool room as a highlight of the season.

"I was disappointed we relaxed after half-time," Macgowan said. "There was a bad passage of play which lacked intensity and it spread through the team and everyone was pretty lethargic for the rest of the game. But whether you play Glenelg or South you can only get two points for a win and we needed that to help cement a top-three spot."

Sturt 15.20 (110) def South 5.10 (40)

Goals: 
Surt: Chambers 6, Coad 4, Crane, Whiteman, Gum, Sheedy, Jaensch
South: Lade, Rolfe, Bachmann, McKay, Turner

Attendance: 2,279

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