1. Port’s fight-back, albeit too late, deserves some praise
Chad Cornes’ men could’ve rolled over and let a more clinical Sturt walk right over them after a disappointing first quarter.
The game was all-but sewed up for the Double Blues when they booted 7.4 to the Magpies’ 2.2 to take a 32-point lead into quarter time.
But the young Magpies worked hard to rustle the game back and get it played on their terms.
They won the clearances (40-33) and the hit-outs (48-29) and their defensive pressure soared only allowing Sturt to score two second-half goals.
2. Sturt’s Mark Evans emerging as a key forward
Sunday’s match was the second time Mark Evans wreaked havoc against Port Adelaide this year.
Just a month earlier, Evans booted five goals against the Magpies at Unley Oval. This time, he went one better, ending the day with six.
In his second year at Sturt, at 24 years old and 181cm, Evans is proving to be a welcome addition to the forward line, having booted 25 goals in Sturt’s nine games so far.
3. Ah Chee stakes a claim for AFL selection
Brendon Ah Chee wasn’t Port’s highest possession-getter on Sunday, but his ability to not only win the hard ball, but use it effectively, stood out from the rest.
In a match where Port’s attempted comeback was masked by their early skill errors, Ah Chee’s disposals were efficient more times than not. The 22-year-old managed to win nine stoppages, laid six tackles, took four marks and kicked and a goal.
Ah Chee’s work rate was second-to-none and he battled hard all day in what was a dark day for the black and white.
4. Double Blues need fine tuning to stamp their mark on the competition
Sturt has only lost once so far this season – in round one – and the win against Port was the side’s eighth consecutive victory.
It goes without saying that a record like that at the half way point of the season is impressive.
However, if Sturt want to really lay a claim on the competition and boost their premiership credentials, it must learn to be ruthless and relentless.
The Double Blues took the foot off the pedal after a composed first half display.
They lead by as much as 43-points in the third quarter, but coughed it up, succumbing to Port’s tough pressure to only score two goals in the second half and win by 22-points.
Talking points: Port v Sturt
Four talking points out of the Magpies' loss to the Double Blues on Sunday