STURT has claimed back-to-back SANFL premierships with a gripping one-point win over Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.
Trailing by 18 points early in the final quarter, the Magpies kicked three consecutive goals to level the scores at the 14-minute mark.
However, Sturt key forward Kory Beard drew a high free kick – from Power-listed defender Logan Austin – and the subsequent 25m penalty resulted in a goal.
Double Blues defender Fraser Evans won the Jack Oatey Medal for his best-afield performance in the 7.8 (50) to 7.7 (49) win before 39,813 spectators – the highest attendance since 1998.
A composed Evans finished with 13 possessions, nine rebound 50s and five marks, keeping his opponent Brett Eddy goalless and restricting him to just eight touches.
Unsigned Power midfielder Brendon Ah Chee (19 disposals), who was runner up in this year's Magarey Medal, bobbed up with two team-lifting majors in the last term to close the margin, including a running goal from the boundary line.
Double Blues captain Zane Kirkwood (22 disposals, 10 tackles) and onballer James Battersby (19 disposals, 12 tackles) led the possession count for the winners.
Sturt capitalised on its opportunities in the opening term with four straight majors, including a superb goal to Mark Evans from 45m on the boundary after winning a free kick.
Livewire Jake Neade (11 disposals, two goals) registered the Magpies' first major, making amends for two earlier misses on the run.
The 23-year-old was Port's most dangerous forward in the first half, thanks to his burst of speed and pressure acts, while tall forwards Eddy and Todd Marshall were kept goalless.
Playing mainly as a spare in defence, Jimmy Toumpas made a blistering start with five disposals and four marks in the opening five minutes of the game alone.
The former Demon accumulated a game-high 29 touches and took nine marks, while teammate Will Snelling (23 disposals, 14 tackles) was also kept busy.
Port's Riley Bonner, who appeared to have been reported in the first quarter for front-on contact, lifted his work rate in the second half when he moved further up the ground.
The Double Blues' defence was resolute in the third term, with the Magpies unable to impact the scoreboard.
Sturt midfielder Aidan Riley (16 disposals, nine tackles) broke the deadlock at the 24-minute mark of the third quarter – the only goal of the term – when he weaved through traffic from a stoppage and snapped truly to grow the margin to 16 points.
Unsigned Power speedster Matt White (13 disposals) was struck down with a right calf problem in the semi-final a fortnight ago, but passed a fitness test.
Fellow out-of-contract Power players, forward Nathan Krakouer and veteran Angus Monfries, did not feature due to injury.
Krakouer suffered a right hamstring setback in the Magpies' semi-final, while Angus Monfries was sidelined with a calf issue since the qualifying final win over Sturt early this month.
Sturt won the SANFL reserves Grand Final to cap a magnificent day for the club.
PORT ADELAIDE 2.3 3.4 3.7 7.7 (49)
STURT 4.1 5.4 6.6 7.8 (50)
GOALS
Port Adelaide: Neade 2, Gray 2, Ah Chee 2, Lobbe
Sturt: Beard 2, M.Evans, Harms, Sutcliffe, Hone, Riley
