A thriller at Alberton has seen Port Adelaide run out with its third victory of the SANFL League season, despite frustrating inaccuracy in attack all afternoon.
The Magpies had 25 scoring shots to 12, but only managed a narrow eight-point win in a game that was played predominantly at the southern Scott Hodges End of its home territory.
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Both sides were helped by a slight breeze at that end, Sturt enjoying five-goal returns in the first and third quarters while Port dominated the even-numbered terms.
Certainly, Port Adelaide enjoyed the lion's share of possession during the game, but found itself challenged from the outset by a honed Sturt.
The Double Blues controlled the early play to take a comfortable 18-point buffer into the first change, while the Magpies struggled to find a rhythm and intensity to match last year's semi-finallists.
Led in the middle by Sam Gray, the home side reversed the momentum and dominated the second term to keep Sturt scoreless, while itself kicking four majors.
Even when Sturt reversed the form again in the third term, the Magpies were able to hold strong in the final 30 minutes to punish Sturt's turnovers and take a well-earned victory.
Mitch Harvey, Jake Neade and Jesse Palmer each scored two goals, while rookie-listed Johann Wagner kicked the sealer in a volatile breeze with minutes remaining on the clock.
But inaccuracy and defence will be on top of the agenda beneath the Fos Williams Stand tonight, with lapses across the ground allowing Sturt to take control of the contest at times, as well as winning one-on-ones at key points during the game.
The Magpies struggled to take advantage of their inside-50s by squaring up good targets, especially in the first half.
In a positive, Sam Gray continues to enjoy good form through the middle of the ground, putting pressure on the rest of Port Adelaide's smalls for a place in the AFL line-up, while Jarman Impey was one of the Magpies' most important players when the game was on the line.
Sam Colquhoun also won plenty of ball in another solid showing around the ground.
Port now sits at 3-2 having played one less game than four sides in the competition, and has leapfrogged the Double Blues into fifth place on the ladder ahead of next week's away SANFL 'Showdown' against the Adelaide Crows.
LEAGUE SCOREBOARD
PORT ADELAIDE 2.1 6.7 7.10 10.15 (75)
STURT 5.1 5.1 10.1 11.1 (67)
GOALS
Neade, Palmer, Harvey 2, Biemans, Butcher, S. Gray, Wagner
PORTADELAIDEFC.COM.AU’S BEST
Neade, S. Gray, Logan, Colquhoun, Impey, Palmer
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INJURIES
nil
CROWD
2,038 at Alberton Oval
Earlier on Saturday, Port Adelaide's Academy team fell short in the final quarter after costly turnovers were punished by Sturt's reserves.
Dicing with the Double Blues all day, it was a disappointing result after a stark turnaround in form following last week's insipid performance against the Eagles.
Sam Gordon booted six goals up forward, and Academy coach Mark Clayton was pleased with the spirit shown this week.
"It was a much better effort this week, we focussed a lot on 'team care' and I thought we showed more of that this week," Clayton told portadelaidefc.com.au
"We showed it for three quarters and then they scored off some turnovers when we were in control, and then got on top of us.
"Our skill errors again cost us.
"We've played the top four sides now, and competed really well against two of them.
"We definitely improved this week from last week, so there are signs the guys are understanding it and getting better."
ACADEMY SCOREBOARD
PORT ADELAIDE 3.5 4.6 6.10 10.12 (72)
STURT 1.2 5.6 7.7 13.8 (86)
GOALS
Gordon 6, R. Young 2, Northeast, Ross
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Corcoran, Gordon, R. Young, T. Gray, Sawford, J. Williams
INJURIES
Wilson (arm)
