Centrals 17.9(111) def. West 11.11(77)

Central District Football Club defeated West Adelaide by 34 points to win its third League flag in four years at AAMI Stadium. The victory capped a fantastic day after the Reserves went back-to-back after defeating Port Adelaide Magpies in the curtain-raiser. Chris Gowans was awarded the Jack Oatey Medal for a best-on-ground performance. Read more...

Central District's Under 19's side shrugged off Port Adelaide to register a huge 92-point victory in the under 19s grand final at Adelaide Oval.

Still eligible to play under-17s, well-built Bulldog Shannon Hurn was instrumental in setting up play from Central's half-back line and consequently, was the best player on the field.

Key forwards Dylan Pfitzner (three goals) and Dean Cutting were consistently dangerous while Ryan Woolley managed to boot a game-high five goals.

Crumber Anton Gerardis made the most of his opportunities by reading the ball well off the packs to finish off the hard work of his fellow midfielders with four goals.

In the end, the scoreboard was a reflection of Central's performance with the Bulldogs racking up 36 scoring shots to the Magpies meek total of 10.

Four Central District players were selected in the 2003 National AFL Draft.

Sam Butler (West Coast)
Medium, inside midfielder/forward with clean hands and good foot skills. Rarely goes to ground and reads the play well. AIS-AFL Academy member and SA U/18 representative in 2003. Member of Central Districts Reserves Premiership side this year. From South Gawler FC. Year 12 student at Xavier College in Gawler.

Jay Nash (Essendon)
Medium, outside defender/midfielder with terrific work rate and excellent finishing skills. Has good football brain. AIS-AFL Academy member in 2002. SA U/18 representative in 2002 and 2003. Was in the top 10% for the standing vertical jump at the 2003 National Draft camp, state screening session. Another member of Central Districts Reserves Premiership team this year. From Nuriootpa FC. Year 12 student at Nuriootpa High School.

Brad Symes (Port Adelaide)
Medium defender/midfielder who is strong over the ball. Good hand and foot skills. AIS-AFL Academy in 2002. Named South Australia's most valuable player in the 2003 National AFL U/18 Championships, and won All-Australian U/18 honours, member of Central Districts Reserve Premiership side in 2003. From Gawler Centrals FC. First year student at Adelaide University.

Eddie Sansbury (Kangaroos)
Small forward who kicked 5 goals in SANFL Grand Final - very quick and elusive.

Details about additonal recruits, departures and re-signings will be made shortly.

Pivotal medium midfielder James Gowans' season was rewarded with the Norm Russell Medal for League Best and Fairest adding to his three premiership medallions and Jack Oatey medal. Rover Marco Bello came a close second in yet another fine season while forward/ruckman Luke Cowan was third placed. Heath Hopwood was awarded the Danny Hulm Medal. The reserves Best and Fairest went to pint-sized Elijah Ware closely followed by Matthew Krieg and Nicholas Prokopec.

When the final siren blows at AAMI Stadium Sunday, October 5, it will also signal the start of PARTY TIME!

A great night of entertainment has been organised for the whole family at NAP Oval Elizabeth. Live band JUNGLE JOOCE will get you groovin', plus DJ, bar and food facilities, grand final merchandise and League and Reserves player presentations at around 9pm.

Adults $5, kids under 15 free.

Monday 6th October. In the event of securing our third flag join us for the day after on the Labor Day holiday to celebrate all over again at our Family Fun Day. The day will kick off at 11 am with entertainment for the kids, amusements, face painters, food and bar facilities plus your chance to grab an autograph from the victorious players.

Members note: only yourself and one (1) guest will have access to Grand Central on Grand Final night. Passes must be worn at all times.

Car parking: Parking will be available throughout the day at the adjacent Fremont Elizabeth High School.

Transport: Serco buses will depart NAP Oval Elizabeth on Grand Final day continually from 10am through to midday.

Merchandise: Limited Grand Final merchandise will be available at NAP Oval on Sunday night and Monday.

Will Simon Arnott go back-to-back and take home the Norm Russell medal? This will be the closest count ever and it's sure to be a nailbiting finish.

Saturday 25th October, 2003
Starplex Auditorium, Gawler
$35 per person

Three-course meal included. Hurry - seats are limited!
Call the club on 8255 2555 to make your booking.

Central District Football Club is looking for contact details for the following members of the first CDFC team in 1964 for a reunion dinner next year as part of our 40th birthday celebrations. Please contact the club on 8255 2555 or email cdfc@cdfc.com.au if you know where these lost dogs are:

Sam Donovan, Robert Edmonds, Don Eagle, Grahame Johnstone, Brian Kemp, John White, Anthony Sorrell, Alan Hayes, Stan Volbrecht, Lynton Reeves, John Ashby.

After 1 win and 3 losses in the Under 18 carnival, played last week in Melbourne, five SA players have been named in the U/18 All Australian team.

David Kellett and Brad Symes from Central District were selected. Congratulations to both. Other selections were Adam Cooney (West), Beau Waters (West) and Josh Willoughby (Glenelg).

Central District's favourite son, John Platten, has been inducted into the AFL's Hall Of Fame on July 7. John Platten's impressive football record since his league debut with Central District in 1981 includes: 258 games for Hawthorn from 1986-97 for 228 goals. 15 games for SA, Six International Rules Matches. Hawthorn Premiership 1986, 1988, 1989 and 1991. All Australian 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989 and 1992. Brownlow Medal 1987. Hawthorn Best and Fairest 1987 and 1994. Hawthorn Team of the Century. Magarey Medal 1984. Central District Best and Fairest 1984 and 1985. Central District co-captain 1995.

Eight Bulldog juniors donimate the 24-man SANFL Under 18 squad to compete in the National Under 18 titles in Melbourne. Congratulations to Ricky Butler, David Kellet, Sam Butler, Brad Symes, Jay Nash, Heath Commane, Dylan Pfitzner and Matthew Cragg-Sapsford. We wish them well and know they will do Central District and the State proud. Congratulations also to Kane Officer, Nicholas Prokopec and Eddie Sansbury for being selected in the SANFL Under 20 team.

Ten Bulldogs have dominated selection to the West End State Squad coached by former Central District Premiership coach Alastair Clarkson. Daniel Healy, Chris and James Gowans, Simon Arnott, Paul Thomas, Paul Scoullar, Heath Hopwood, Matthew Slade, Quinton Graham and Marco Bello will commence training at AAMI Stadium next week. The SANFL West End State Team will play Western Australia at Fremantle Oval on Saturday, 21 June.

Kapunda ruckman Jason "Buckets" Mackenzie has joined Centrals. The 2001 Wally Linke Medallist in the Barossa, Gawler and Light Football Association represented SA in the National Country Titles and capped off his year with All-Australian selection last season.

Elijah "Noodles" Ware hails from Port Pirie and is an elusive flanker who doesn't mind taking hanging for a mark. The 18 year old is very fit with great awareness and skills. The Bulldogs are also looking forward to the return of forward Sam McArdle after a knee reconstruction prematurely ended his 2002 season.

The Central District Football Club is pleased to announce that Roy Laird has been appointed as Senior Coach for season 2003.

Roy has coached the Club's Reserves side for the past two seasons, taking the side to a Grand Final in 2001 and a Premiership in 2002.

Club champion and former Crows player Scott Lee, who coached the Club's Under 19's in 2002 has been appointed Assistant/Reserves Coach.

Former League player, Gavin Chaplin who acted in an Assistant capacity in 2002 will continue in that role for 2003.

Chairman of Selectors Daryl Hicks will also continue in his role in 2003.

The Central District Football Club and Alastair Clarkson have mutually agreed to part company for season 2003 due to differences about priorities for the Club. The parties have come to this decision amicably and each wishes the other every success in the future. There will be no further comment on the matter.