The Roosters are eying off top spot and will end the finals aspirations of the Double Blues
By William Clemente

In what is to be an intriguing thirteenth round of South Australian Football; Sturt will be hosting the North Adelaide Roosters at Peter Motley Oval on Saturday afternoon. With two rounds remaining to play in this unorthodox COVID-struck season, both sides will battle it out with a lot to play for. The visitors in North Adelaide are expected to clinch victory at Peter Motley Oval. 

At the concluding end in what has been a bizarre but thrilling home and away season, Sturt and North Adelaide both have goals they must pursue before the season concludes. The Roosters are currently sitting in second position on the ladder and are two points behind the league leader, Woodville West Torrens. Because of that, the Roosters would be extremely determined to close the home and away season with two victories to give themselves the greatest possibility to be minor premiers heading into the finals. 

On the other end of the fence, the Double Blues are four points (two victories) off a finals spot. Currently sitting in sixth spot and trailing fourth spot by four points to Glenelg (sitting in fourth), and Norwood (sitting in fifth). It is an extremely difficult goal to achieve for Sturt, but it is not an impossibility. Obviously, two convincing victories to close the home and away season and some luck with other results of fixtures will grant them a finals spot, this means they must defeat the Roosters on Saturday afternoon in front of their faithful. 

Last round, the Double Blues faced off against the Redlegs away from home at Coopers Stadium. This was a crucial fixture for Sturt to be victories to stamp their finals credentials, but they suffered a narrow three-point loss in a nail-bitting display of football. This loss has made finals football more unlikely for the Double Blues but not an impossibility as mentioned. As the scoreboard suggested, it was a tight and contestant contest. After a dominant opining quarter by Sturt, a goalless second term is what potentially costed them the game as Norwood fought back. The second half was a real scrap, goal for goal, but the second quarter let down the Double Blues without a doubt. Forward, Mark Evans was their greatest contributor to the scoreboard kicking three goals and one behind. James Battersby was their greatest ball winner in midfield, notching 28 disposals. Abe Davis also played a great game continuing his individual form, with 25 possessions and a goal. 

North Adelaide put on a great display last weekend at Prospect Oval in front of their home fans, defeating the struggling Central Districts by 32 points. This ended a two-game losing streak for the Roosters and it was much needed as it will give them the confidence to overcome the Double Blues this weekend. North only led the Dogs by eight-points at half time, but the Roosters flapped their wing in the second half as they got away in comfort kicking 10 goals. They suffered a slight scare in the final term as Centrals slotted seven kicks between the big sticks, but the damage had been done. William Coombe was excellent in the forward line for the Roosters as he kicked four goals. Campbell Coombe was astonishing in the midfield notching 34 possessions and he applied excellent midfield pressure as he laid ten tackles. Jarrod Almond had a great day on the park as well (27 disposals, 15 marks, one goal). 

Both sides will be hungry for a victory on Saturday afternoon and we will see a thrilling display of football. The Roosters will be pushing for top spot and the Double Blues will try their very best to reach the finals; they both have a lot to play for. However, the Roosters are expected to wet their beaks at Peter Motley Oval and enjoy a victory, putting Sturt’s season to a disappointing close.

 
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