Sturt has overrun the SANFL Crows on the back of a dominant second half, running out 72-point winners at Peter Motley Oval on Sunday afternoon.
Adelaide had their best start of the year, playing with pressure and intensity to lead at the first break.
After quarter time, however, the reigning premiers played at their best, and the undermanned Crows were unable to go with them.
Forward Doug Hadden was best on ground for the Crows, kicking four goals for the second time this year, along with five tackles and four marks.
Midfielder Patrick Wilson again got plenty of the footy, finishing with 32 disposals, 22 of those contested, and a massive 16 clearances.
In his first game at SANFL level since 2015, Rory Atkins collected 28 touches, four marks and four clearances, while Elliott Himmelberg competed hard in the ruck when giving new ruckman Tim Auckland a chop out.
State League coach Ryan O’Keefe lamented the factors outside of the team’s control, but noted a number of players who worked hard across the game.
“I thought the boys in the first half competed really well in the contest, but too many things just keep going against us,” O’Keefe said.
“Atkins played inside, trying to get around the ball and build some form and was a solid contributor, and Patty [Wilson] was solid inside again, he brings his ball winning capabilities.
“With the ruckman, we got Tim [Auckland] in late, I saw him first thing Saturday morning and he competed, and Elliott [Himmelberg] is doing a good job in there as well, he’s building another string to his game.”
The Crows finished with only one player on the bench with defender Andrew McPherson (hamstring) and midfielder Jackson Edwards (ankle) unable to finish the game.
ADELAIDE 3.6 5.7 7.10 9.10 (64)
STURT 3.3 7.9 14.11 20.16 (136)
GOALS:
Adelaide: Hadden 4, Atkins, Himmelberg, Jarman, McMahon, Murphy
Sturt: Taggert 5, Sutcliffe 3, Evans 2, Greenslade 2, Read 2, McAdam 2, Crocker, Dodd, Hone, Kirkwood
BESTS: Hadden, Wilson, Himmelberg, Atkins, Irlam
