PERFECT START FOR BULLDOGS
By Robert Laidlaw

Round 1, 7/4/2007

Central District Bulldogs defeated North Adelaide Roosters by seven goals to open the SANFL season in a night game at Elizabeth last Saturday.

With four imports and two rookies, the club had a different look, but with a similar result.

Ian Callinan and Charles Slattery have speed to burn and ball-getting ability second to none, while Heath Lawry up forward and Nathan Grima down back, were towers of strength.

All four first gamers with the club have fitted in nicely, and have added a different dimension from last year.

Another positive for Central was rookie debuts from Jonathon Giles and Daniel Havelberg. The former gained valuable experience in ruck and will be better for the hitout, while the latter looked a smooth acquisition to the back six.

The game opened at a cracking pace, with Lawry booting the first goal five minutes in. After a reply from the Roosters nine minutes later, Justin Westhoff and Callinan kicked truly and the Dogs were looking good.

A lapse in concentration saw North boot three time-on goals to grab the initiative and a slender four-point advantage at the first break.

Within 60 seconds of the second term the Roosters were 10 points up, and after a lot of hard work, Matthew Slade bombed a 50m punt for Central's fourth major. A quick reply by North at the 10-minute mark was the final goal of the half.

The Bulldogs had their chances but three relative easy misses on goal saw them trail 4-6 to 6-4 at the long break. Central was breaking down out of the centre and could not match the Roosters chip and running possession style.

A complete change came over the game in the third quarter, as the Bulldogs bared their teeth in a dominant display of sparkling football. An early goal from Elijah Ware reduced the margin to a kick, then four absolute ball-tearers turned the game.

Pressure was building as the Bulldogs kept forcing the ball forward, and from a loose pack, a clever handball from Chris Gowans released Callinan, who snapped the ball back across his body from 45m, and it curled beautifully for the goal of the game, and a one point lead.

North did reply at the 15-minute mark to regain the advantage, but two clever sidestep goals from Ware and live-wire Scott Dutschke gave Central breathing space.

A long goal from the Roosters entering time on kept the scores tight, but a wonderful James Gowans snap, and then set shot, saw a pair of majors, followed by Jason Mackenzie's goal, as the Dogs held a 13 point buffer at the final change, and had all the momentum.

Matthew Slade laid a brilliant tackle, which resulted in the first goal of the last term to Justin Westhoff. Further majors to Daniel Schell, Dutschke and Westhoff again, saw the lead blow out to 42 points late in the match.

While the Roosters did kick a belated goal, Chris Gowans made sure the Bulldogs had the last yelp with his major one minute before full time.

The best players for Central varied from quarter to quarter, and over the two halves. Brad Symes was probably best, as his courageous work deep in defence, and role as a linkman in attacking moves was noticeable throughout.

Both Callinan and Slattery slotted into the mid-field rotation like Bulldog veterans, while after absorbing a lot of attention early, the class of the Gowans twins, Chris and James, was crucial in the second half.

Richard Cochrane earned many hard balls, and seemed to bob up at the most important times, while Adrian Wilson had a touch of class about his game and Dutschke worked like a Trojan when released form the bench.

A special mention for rookie Daniel Havelberg, who looked composed out of defence, especially after the long break. He is similar in his style to many of the club's premiership backmen from the past seven seasons.

This week Central District host South Adelaide from 2pm, in a game which will be a good indication of the Bulldogs standing, as reigning premiers the Eagles trounced the Panthers by 86 points on Saturday.

Central District 16-10 (106) d North Adelaide 9-10 (64)
Best: B. Symes, I. Callinan, J. Gowans, R. Cochrane, C. Gowans, A.
Wilson, C. Slattery, S. Dutschke.
Goals: J. Westhoff 3, I. Callinan 2, E. Ware 2, S. Dutschke 2, J.
Gowans 2, H. Lawry, M. Slade, J. Mackenzie, D. Schell, C. Gowans.

Have your say on this story on the CDFC forum