Round 8 Hostplus SANFL Snapshot – Friday Night

It certainly wasn’t pretty but Sturt banked another two valuable premiership points when it wore down Port Adelaide by 24 points at Alberton Oval.

Leading at every change and keeping the Magpies without a goal until the 12th minute of the third quarter, the Double Blues robbed themselves of percentage by kicking an inaccurate 6.15 (51).

Sturt dominated inside 50 entries 49 to 29 and clearances 39 to 26 as it rarely looked troubled by the hosts, who got within 22 points when Ollie Lord nailed his second goal in the opening minute of the final term.

It would be the only major kicked by either side after the final change though, as the visitors solidified their place in the top five while playing one man short for the second half after Ned Walter left the field clutching his shoulder.

Sturt’s ”Big 3” in the centre square – captain James Battersby (28 disposals, nine clearances), Will Snelling (28 disposals, seven clearances) and Tom Lewis (25 disposals, six clearances) – were all significant contributors in the victory.

Casey Voss was clean with each of his 19 possessions, while also providing his the Blues’ highlight of the night with a lively intercept and clinical finish on the run in the first term.

Experienced trio Guy Page, Will Coomblas and Rory Illman were rock solid in defence while Sturt’s only multiple goal kicker was Angus Anderson with two.

Port’s Quinton Narkle played his best game of the season with 20 disposals and six marks, while Jake Weidemann – in his 50th League game – also collected 20 touches in a typically spirited performance.

Lord kicked two goals from his 12 disposals and five marks, including a fine snap effort nearing time-on of the third quarter.