Fuelled by the belief from playing consistent football this season, Sam Sturt feels his game is benefitting from a new mindset.
 
The first round pick from the 2018 National Draft, Sturt has endured a tough start to his AFL career through injury and a lack of opportunity.
 
He played three games in his debut season in 2020 and just one over the following two seasons as he struggled to break into the side.
 
In 2022, a year where Sturt played 17 games for Peel in the WAFL and none at AFL level, Senior Coach Justin Longmuir said the forward needed to work on the defensive aspect of his game.
 
Sturt’s defensive and offensive sides have both been on show in 2023, playing 12 games.
 
He has kicked at least one goal in seven of his past eight games, including four in Saturday’s RAC Derby.
 
Sturt said playing regular football has enabled him to feel more comfortable and confident on the field.
 
“I think I'm at the level now,” Sturt said.
 
“I've got confidence when I run out there. I'm not running out there hoping I get a touch, I'm running out there hoping to have a big impact on the game.”

Originally out of contract at the end of this season, Sturt has since been rewarded with an extension for 2024 season as he hit a trigger in his contract.
 
He said reaching the trigger was one of his goals for the year.
 
“I hadn't played many games, I didn't play any games last year. (I knew) if I got to that trigger, I would have been stoked and standing here right now, yeah I'm stoked,” Sturt said.
 
“I wanted an extra year so that was a goal of mine (reaching the trigger) coming into this year.
 
“I was dropped halfway through the season (between rounds 8-10) and thought 'gee am I gonna get there?' It was stressful but rewarding when I did.
 
“The club showed some great support to me this year and I was fairly confident that if I didn't reach the number, they would have extended my contract anyway.
 
“I was getting some really good feedback around how I've been defending and offense takes care of itself when you defend with intent.”

Despite showing significant development in 2023, Sturt believes he has more growth in his game as he settles into a forwardline with tall forwards Jye Amiss and Josh Treacy.
 
“I feel like I've got another gear to give. Another preseason and a full year next year will definitely do me a world of good,” Sturt said.
 
“Our chemistry has been really good the last few weeks I think we've taken it to a new level.
 
“The more footy we play together, the better we'll get.”
 
While Sturt loved his four goals against the Eagles at Optus Stadium, he said there was one thing off about the game.
 
“It was unfortunate it was the West Coast (home game), would have been nice if it was the Freo fans. It was great, I loved it,” Sturt said.

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