Sturt win 2024 SANFL U16 Grand Final

By TOM WYMAN

Sturt defeated South Adelaide by 24 points at Adelaide Oval to claim its first SANFL U16 premiership since 2015.

In clear conditions, it took two minutes for coach Greg Crowden’s Double Blues to have their first goal on the board courtesy of tall Griffin James, before South hit back with majors to Zemes Pilot and Kody Shortridge.

Shortridge had his second just one minute into the second term to extend the Panthers lead, then a run of three behinds in a row for Sturt was ended by goals to Jack Davies and Naite Slade in quick succession.

Harrison Davey goaled to trim the margin, but a late goal to Tom Lindsay gave Sturt a nine point lead at the main break despite their inefficiency in-front of goal.

The third quarter belonged to coach Brett Hudson’s South, whose midfield ascendancy saw them dominate general play but kick just one goal through Shortridge, with Sturt also kicking one courtesy of Will Ekberg.

Leading by eight points heading into the final term, early goals to Ryan Davies and Carter Gallasch sunk South hearts momentarily, before a quick goal from Angus White restored some hope.

However, a second goal to Ryan Davies sealed the deal, then another to Lindsay put the exclamation mark on the win which saw the minor premiers avenge last year’s grand final loss.

Despite losing the clearances by 13, Sturt worked well between the arcs to generate 25 scoring shots from 45 inside-50s.

South’s Archie Van Dyk was adjudged best on ground having gathered 31 disposals, eight tackles and five clearances, while Jack Davies finished with 23 disposals and six clearances for Sturt.