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Relieved Sturt win in scrap

In a physical scrap, Sturt found enough resolve to hold off a tenacious Woodville-West Torrens in a 16-point victory at Unley Oval on Sunday.

The home side will be relieved to have escaped with the points, 13.12 (90) to 11.8 (74), after being well below their best for most of the day.

Even coach Rick Macgowan described it as the club’s worst performance of the season so far as his players regularly missed targets and were constantly worried into errors by a desperate opponent.

Tristan Gum was the Double Blues’ most prolific playmaker with four goals, while Port Adelaide Power youngster Adam Thomson, co-captain Ben Nelson and talented Scott McGlone used the ball better then most.

Eagles skipper Mark McKenzie and Luke Powell were highly influential at the stoppages to spark their side into action in the midfield.

Ruckman Brad Dabrowski also fired as the Eagles trailed by just one point at half-time and led by five at the final change.

Inexperience and clumsy turnovers cost the Eagles in the final term and Sturt made them pay.

The Double Blues also had to content with just one fit player on the bench for most of the second half after forwards Ian Perrie (spleen) and Michael Coad (hamsting) were forced out of the contest.

The win though did allow Sturt to leapfrog Glenelg into top spot on the SANFL ladder.

Stephen O’Loughlin/The Advertiser