BULLDOGS TURN BACK THE CLOCK
By Robert Laidlaw

Round 5, 5/5/2007

Central District Bulldogs turned back the clock and wore its famous white strip from the 1980s against Glenelg Tigers at Elizabeth last Saturday, but came away with a modern day result, victory by 23 points.

Wearing the white guernsey from 1979 to 1991, Central played 293 games for 143 victories, 146 losses and four draws. Saturday's win closes the overall record to two off evening the slate.

Early in the game the Bulldogs looked like the team of the 80s, which only won 10 of 26 clashes through the period against Glenelg, but in the end remained the dominant force of the 21st century against the Tigers – now 17-2 ahead, and undefeated at home since 1992.

It was Glenelg which opened the scoring with a goal 90 seconds in. Central replied soon after through James Gowans, but then the Tigers controlled the game up to time on, kicking the next three majors.

A long running accurate shot from Elijah Ware seemed to steady the Dogs, but the Bays kicked the final goal to lead by 16 points at the first break.

Losing key forward Luke Cowan in the game's first 10 minutes may have caused disrupted team balance, but Heath Lawry stepped up to make his presence felt, and early in the second term kicked a good goal.

Glenelg responded at the nine minute mark, as play seemed to be even all over the ground, with the Tigers flooding back when threatened, but broke down at half forward, where the Bulldogs seemed resolute.

The second half of the quarter set up Central's win as Lawry started proceedings with his second goal, followed by Matthew Slade, Adam Switala and Trent Goodrem majors, as the Bulldogs grabbed a handy nine point advantage at the long break.

Ware missed the first chance of the third term, but soon after took a classic one-handed mark and converted, which seemed to indicate Central had broken the shackles.

But it wasn't to be, as Glenelg dominated the next 10 minutes to slot through three goals and inch in front by three points. Through time on the Bulldogs scored four times, James Gowans’ in-traffic shot the only major, and at the final change the home team was six points up.

Finally the Bulldogs showed their trademark fluency in the first 12 minutes of the final quarter, hammering home five un-answered majors, the final a long 60m bomb from Lawry, which was the goal of the game.

Having apparently broken the Tigers’ spirit, it seemed Central was set to go on with the job and record a convincing victory, but Glenelg fought back with the next three goals and leading into time on had reduced the margin to 17 points.

The Bulldogs steadied, and gradually rested control back, Trent Goodrem kicking the game’s final goal shortly before full time to give the home side a 23 point win.

Lawry was on fire for Central, his strength and agility worrying the Bays all game, while Brad Symes has probably earned himself another crack at the AFL this week, with another faultless performance running out of the backline.

Jason Mackenzie was the best bigman on the ground, Matthew Slade and Charles Slattery were the best of the on-ballers, while Adam Switala and Elijah Ware offered plenty of drive from the wings.

This Friday Central District travel to the Parade for a night game against Norwood, commencing at 7.40pm. The Bulldogs should win but has struggled at Norwood for the past few seasons.

On Saturday week Central will be hosting Port Adelaide in a night game, and is aiming for a crowd of 10,000, which would be the biggest minor round attendance since the formation of the Crows in 1991.

Central District 15-12 (102) d Glenelg 12-7 (79)
Best: Lawry, Symes, Slade, Switala, Slattery, Ware, Mackenzie.
Goals: J. Gowans 3, Lawry 3, Ware 2, Switala 2, Goodrem 2, Slade, Callinan, J. Westhoff.

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