HARD WORKING DOGS WIN BACK RESPECT
By Robert Laidlaw

Round 12, 24/6/2006

Central District repaid its supporters for the faith they have in the club with a 68 point victory over Glenelg in last Saturday's SANFL clash, which reversed the 95 point thrashing the Tigers handed out in round three.

Questions were being asked of the Bulldogs after their tardy start when it lost three games on the trot earlier in the season, but with its most recent victory the club is now well positioned with a 7-4 win-loss count to make a charge towards the finals.

After being matched by Glenelg in the first quarter last Saturday, the Bulldogs stepped it up a gear to control the remainder of the game, and after hitting the front 12 minutes into the second term, went from strength to strength as the game unwound.

With Adam Switala on fire in the first quarter, Central got out of the blocks well, answering the Bays opening goal with three consecutive majors, two from Switala.

Both sides then struggled to kick accurately, the Dogs adding only four points to quarter time while Glenelg managed three further goals to go with six behinds, as the Tigers led by eight points at the first break.

Continuing his fine form, Switala kicked the first major of the second term five minutes in, and at even intervals, Chris Gowans, Justin Westhoff and Luke Cowan added goals, as Central built a 17 point advantage at half time.

Shutting the Tigers run down and going back to its blue-collar roots, the Dogs looked like the tough un-comprising unit it has built their reputation on, and the game looked safely under control.

Glenelg is a much improved team from recent seasons, and demonstrated its resolve when it booted the opening goal of the second half just a minute in, but then Central kicked it up a notch as Chad O'Sullivan made a quick two-goal cameo.

Both majors were class team-assisted efforts. The first saw Matty Slade cleverly weave his way through traffic to deliver the ball forward where O'Sullivan took a nice mark, then Daniel Schell and Paul Scoullar combined to deliver to the goalsneak.

Another Tiger goal was answered with three, and although Glenelg kicked the final major of the term, the Bulldogs had increased its advantage to 28 points at the final change.

Chris Gowans started proceedings in the final stanza with a goal, which was quickly followed by a six-pointer from Leigh Westhoff, then when Gowans kicked his second of the term at the eight minute mark, where he went to his right then left to snap the goal of the game, victory was assured.

Controlling most of the play, Central continued to force the ball forward to kick seven majors to one for the quarter, Switala's long bomb at the 24 minute mark the icing on the cake, as it signalled the first time he has booted four goals in a game, and underpinned the side's scoring flexibility.

The Bulldogs had many good contributors. Ruckman Scoullar was the best big-man on the ground and demonstrated good link-up work to go with his superior marking power, Switala showed plenty of dash from the wing while Paul Thomas, Chad O'Sullivan and the Gowans twins, Chris and James, were constructive throughout.

Adrian Wilson has been in fine form recently, and again on Saturday proved a valuable defender, as his rebounding set up many forward attacks, while Quinton Graham and Yves Sibenaler denied Glenelg any forward target with their tough and resourceful defensive efforts.

This week could be a danger game for Central against cellar dweller West Adelaide at Elizabeth. As long as the Dogs haven't got their eye on the Eagles clash the following Saturday just yet, a win should be a formality - but beware of complacency.

Scores: Central District 19.13 (127) d Glenelg 8-11 (59)
Best: Scoullar, Switala, Thomas, Wilson, J. Gowans, C. Gowans, Graham, O'Sullivan, Sibenaler.
Goals: Switala 4, C. Gowans 3, J. Westhoff 3, Ware 2, Cowan 2, O'Sullivan 2, Schell 2, L. Westhoff.