THE LIGHTS ARE ON FOR DOGS
By Robert Laidlaw

Round 1, 1/4/2006

Last Saturday the lights were turned on for the first official night game for Central District Football Club, and there were plenty of supporters at 'home' as the Bulldogs started where they left off last season, with a victory.

The 56-point thumping of Sturt was witnessed by 7329 supporters, which is one of the largest home attendances at Elizabeth since the formation of the Crows in the AFL 15 years ago.

Another big story was the performance of Central's team, with six 2005 premiership players no longer with the club, and another handful of first choice players also missing, which proves the depth is as good as ever.

Fan favourites Marco Bello, Heath Hopwood, Tyson Hay, Simon Arnott, Daniel Healy and Shannon Hurn have all moved on, while captain Nathan Steinberner, Brad Currie, Richard Cochrane and Luke Cowan did not play, and Elijah Ware was showing his class in the reserves with seven goals.

Only 11 players from the 2005 grand final side took the field on Saturday, but the desperation and application by the 21 on-field performers at Elizabeth dispelled any doubts the Bulldogs may not be a premiership favourite again.

Central District won every quarter, its seven goal to two opening laying the foundation of the victory. Goals by Luke McCabe and Daniel Schell in the game's first five minutes set the tone of the match.

A brace of points from Sturt was responded to with another pair of goals from Schell and McCabe, before a snapped major broke the ice for the Blues. But Schell answered with his third goal a minute later.

Sturt kicked its second six-pointer at the 25 minute mark, but McCabe weaved some special magic in the forward pocket to deliver an easy chance to Matty Slade, then Chris Gowans topped that effort with a left foot snap from the forward pocket for the goal of the game, and the Dogs led by 29 points at the first break.

There was plenty to like about Central's game, as Schell and McCabe set the pace, with Chris Gowans and twin James following suit, Brad Symes stepping up, Slade showing good form, and Adam Switala looking the goods after a season on the side-lines.

Scott Dutschke booted a goal four minutes into the second term, but over the following 10 minutes, Sturt stepped up to the plate and kicked two goals to breath some life into the game.

Central then steadied and rested the momentum, kicking a goal mid-term and two shortly into time on, to extend its advantage to 42 points at the long break.

With players from both sides tiring, the third term was a bit of an arm-wrestle, with each team only kicking two goals, the Dogs winning on points, to extend its lead by two behinds at lemons.

Switala, who had been one of the Bulldogs best for the first three quarters, exploded early in the last term to kick two majors and have a hand in Central's four goal burst, as the margin blew out to 70 points.

Sturt responded with three majors mid-term, before Switala finished the goalscoring for the game at the 22-minute mark, the Dogs home by 56 points.

Any of seven players could have been best. Schell for his wonderful marking and good team play, Symes for his weight of effective possessions, McCabe for his grace under pressure, Switala for his courageous comeback, or the Gowans boys and Slade for their professionalism.

Barossa boys Scott Dutschke and Leigh Westhoff both looked like they will be regulars this season, with good performances, while returnees Paul Thomas and Adrian Wilson also fitted in nicely.

This week Central District has a chance to equal its club record of 16 consecutive victories, set in 2001/02, when it takes on Port Adelaide Magpies, which has been picked as a premiership threat, at Alberton Oval.

Scores: Central District 18.12 (120) d Sturt 9.10 (64)
Best: Symes, Schell, Switala, McCabe, J. Gowans, Slade, C. Gowans, Westhoff, Dutschke.
Goals: Schell 5, C. Gowans 3, Switala 3, McCabe 2, Slade 2, Dutschke, Wilson, Graham.