SUMMARY
History will be made when the Crows host their first home SANFL game in suburban Adelaide on Saturday afternoon against ladder leaders Sturt at Thebarton Oval. The SANFL Crows dug deep to overcome North Adelaide last weekend and could be further strengthened by potential inclusions Jonathon Beech and Curtly Hampton in what would be his first premiership season match for the Club. It’ll be no easy task stopping the Sturt juggernaut however. The Double Blues will be fresh following a bye last weekend as they hunt an incredible 11th consecutive victory. A quality contest is expected in what will be Thebarton Oval’s first taste of SANFL action in over four years.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Adelaide: 2
Sturt: 3
WHERE AND WHEN: Thebarton Oval, Saturday, July 9, 2.10pm ACST
LAST FIVE TIMES
R10, 2016, Sturt 10.10 (70) d Adelaide 9.6 (60) at Peter Motley Oval
R18, 2015, Sturt 7.7 (49) d by Adelaide 24.12 (156) at Peter Motley Oval
R9, 2015, Sturt 14.7 (91) d by Adelaide 22.8 (140) at Peter Motley Oval
R17, 2014, Sturt 13.9 (87) d Adelaide 12.9 (81) at Natural Gas Stadium
R2, 2014, Sturt 13.19 (97) d Adelaide 9.6 (60) at Natural Gas Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. Sturt prevailed by 10 points in an entertaining contest at Peter Motley Oval in Round 10. Adelaide led for most of the duel, but was unable to hold off the fast-finishing Double Blues in a see-sawing final term.
2. Livewire left-footer Troy Menzel bagged three goals the last time the two teams met. Ben Hansen and former Crow Brodie Martin kicked three goals apiece for the home side.
3. Adelaide's Cam Ellis-Yolmen is second in the SANFL for unique score involvements (89) behind only Ken Farmer Medal leader Brett Eddy (91). Teammate Mitch Grigg is ranked fourth with 82 unique involvements.
4. The Double Blues are a game clear in top spot on the SANFL ladder and haven’t lost since their opening clash with Woodville-West Torrens.
5. Adelaide’s biggest SANFL victory was against Sturt in Round 18, 2015. James Podsiadly kicked nine goals as the Crows ran out 107-point winners.
6. Sturt boasts three players inside the top ten for total Champion Data ranking points. Magarey Medallist Zane Kirkwood (No.5) and former Crows pair James Battersby (No.6) and Aidan Riley (No.9) are among the league’s leading performers.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR… Adelaide Football Club
It’ll be a massive clash on the field but also a big occasion off of it. Adelaide has taken its only annual home game to regional country communities since joining the SANFL in 2014, but Saturday’s match against Sturt could prove a success for fans, the SANFL and both clubs. The Double Blues will retain all gate takings and catering revenue as they would at a regular home match, while the Crows hope to attract a healthy crowd and introduce a new generation to the SANFL. A range of free family friendly activities will be on offer including a signing session with players from both teams post-match. It’ll also be the only chance for Crows fans to see their heroes in the flesh this weekend with the senior side heading back to the MCG for the second week in a row on Sunday.
Ticketed Crows and Sturt members and children under 18 all receive free entry to Saturday’s clash at Thebarton Oval
