Australian Football

Match Report

Of course, this round being the Anzac Day weekend, it's time for the re-match of last year's Grand Final as the Tigers faced the Double Blues at the Stratarama Stadium in Glenelg on Thursday afternoon. The regular season points were shared, with the respective home sides coming out on top. Last year's season opener saw the Blues triumphant by 31 points at Unley, but the Tigers rained all holy hell on the Blues at Brighton Road in Round 9 with a 105-point smashing. That early loss was just a minor speed bump as the Tigers went on to win the title, shaking off an inaccuracy-cursed Blues outfit by four goals in the 2023 decider. While the Tigers were triumphant last week against Adelaide, the Blues were given a shock at the hands of the Roosters in their one-goal defeat. The Bays would draw first blood with the opening goal, but were then caught off-guard as the Blues took control and despite missing a few chances, would lead by 15 points at quarter-time with the board reading 4.4 to 2.1. There wasn't much goal-front action in the second term, the Blues with the only major of the period. Glenelg couldn't find the big sticks, managing just three behinds to Sturt's four. At the long break, Sturt held a 22-point lead. Any chance of a Tigers' comeback were put well and truly to bed when play resumed, they didn't even come close to their sticks until late in the third term as the visitors more than doubled their half-time lead by the final change. If not for inaccuracy, it may have been tripled, Sturt kicking 5.7 to 2.1 as the gap went out to 46 points come three quarter-time. The home side could only cut the deficit down a smidge by game's end with their 2.3 to 1.1, the Blues answering last week's shock loss in fine fashion with a 38-point victory and ending a losing streak at Glenelg going back to 2017. Will Snelling was adjudged best afield, taking the Bob Quinn Medal with his 33 disposals, eight clearances and a massive 18 tackles. The Tigers named Jonty Scharenberg as their best, with 22 disposals and six tackles.