Sturt v Eagles Wigan oval July 29

Headfan wrote:In today’s SM, Jade Sheedy has given us an inside view of our side’s current reality.
“We have been pretty depleted over the past three years and we’ve just got to get this next group to come through together as quickly as we can.   There are some great signs there with our kids”.
In Sheedy we trust!

Good stuff Headfan

Just for those with no online SM

IT’S BLUES AT THE DOUBLE
ANDREW CAPEL
STURT survived a major scare from a desperate Woodville-West Torrens
on Saturday to secure a coveted top-three spot and the double-chance in
this year’s finals.
Staring at a shock defeat at three-quarter-time when they trailed by eight
points in a low-scoring affair at Unley, the Double Blues illustrated their
premiership credentials by raising their game and dominating the last
term. They had an incredible 21 inside-50s to one in the final stanza but
took until 19 minutes into the quarter to grab the lead when small forward
James Mathews cleverly goaled from a stoppage with a left-foot snap.
Late majors to James Richards and best-afield Josh Hone sealed a 15-point
win and left second-placed Sturt four wins clear of fourth side Port
Adelaide with three minor round series to play.
“I was really proud of our last quarter and how we were able to execute a
few things in that term, including Jimmy Mathews’ goal from a forward50 stoppage,’’ Blues coach Martin Mattner said. “We have been training
that for six months and to execute in a game when you need to, to get
ahead, those types of things are really important and very pleasing.
“We had 14 minutes of that last quarter in our forward half, which built
pressure, and while we could have executed a bit better going forward, it
was great to get the win, to come from behind like we did. Our goal was to
finish in the top three and get the double-chance and it’s very pleasing to
have achieved that with three rounds to go.’’
Sturt, well served by small forward Hone, who had 23 disposals and kicked
3.5, and ruckman Daniel Fahey-Sparks, almost paid a heavy pride for
inaccuracy in front of the sticks. It had 10 more scoring shots but booted a
wobbly 10.15 to the Eagles’ 9.6.
It was a heartbreaking loss for the Eagles, who led at every change and
positioned themselves for an upset by kicking four goals in six minutes
late in the second term. The defeat was the sixth from their past seven
games and virtually extinguished their finals hopes.
“Our boys worked really hard but in the end we got beaten by a more
experienced team that hung in the contest a bit longer,’’ coach Jade
Sheedy said. “Our younger bodies and inexperience showed at crucial
times, giving up a couple of stoppage goals and we know there is no quick
fix.
“We have been pretty depleted over the past three years and we’ve just got
to get this next group to come through together as quickly as we can.
“There are some greats signs there with our kids.’

I thought we looked a lot more balanced and had a bit of system going forward that has been lacking over the second half the season in particular.
Having Lukac and DB-R enabled Ballenden to take Strut's best defender which straightens us up. Why does Ballenden always duck his head when marking I wonder? Troy Menzel also added some "spark" and experience to our forward structure. Strut don't look like premiership material to me.

A flip of results this week in the U16 and U18 against Sturt.

Win U18s only just
Loss U16s.