DOGS BOIL OVER
By Robert Laidlaw

Round 6, 11/5/2007
CENTRAL DISTRICT v NORWOOD at NORWOOD

Central District Bulldogs proved its own worst enemy early against Norwood Redlegs in last Friday night's clash at the Parade, but boiled over in the last quarter to boot 11 goals for a 62 point victory.

Frustrated with over-umpiring in the first half, especially in a 10 minute period through the second term, the Dogs trailed for most of the first three quarters, before finding top gear and powering away.

If Norwood had kicked straight to open the first quarter, the task of overhauling the Redlegs may have been more difficult, as two easy misses were costly.

But then Central suffered a case of the yips with three straight behinds, energetic Matthew Slade missing twice. Justin Westhoff stood tall to finish off for the Bulldogs first major, as a tit-for-tat session developed to quarter time, Norwood leading 5-4 to 4-4.

Adam Switala was everywhere, through the midfield, down back and generating forward momentum. One of his long kicks just fell short of a goal, with a 'Pele' effort from Ian Callinan ensuring the hard work was not wasted.

After the Redlegs had the early initiative, it was Jason Mackenzie, released from the bench, who had a major impact in ruck, and it was his untiring efforts, coupled with rookie Jonathan Giles, which allowed Central to compete against Norwood's tall timber throughout the contest.

When Westhoff booted his second major to open the second term, it looked like the Bulldogs had harnessed its opponent and would go on with the job.

Then in a page from the 'twilight zone,' Central completely lost the plot, as the men in white handed dubious free kicks and 25m penalties out in a 10 minute period, mostly to Norwood. Fortunately the Redlegs only managed three majors, but grabbed a 19 point advantage.

It was only a determined fightback in time on, where Chad O'Sullivan, making a welcome return to the side, booted two goals around Heath Lawry's special moment, when he laid a perfect tackle and played on for a team-lifting major.

At the long break the Bulldogs only trailed by two points, which was a credit to their endeavour after Norwood's onslaught. The game was still to be won, and it seemed the third quarter was going to be the determining period.

Two quick goals to open the second half seemed to indicate the Redlegs were building to an upset, but Central had the answers, with Slade kicking a great goal in traffic, and Callinan booting a class major from a tight angle.

The Redlegs capitalised on a Bulldog mistake to inch seven points clear 14 minutes in, then Trent Goodrem, with quick thinking while tight on the boundary 40m out, kicked the goal of the game in reply.

With a major just before time on, Norwood showed itself to be a real challenge, then a spate of four scoring shots, which unfortunately only resulted in one goal, saw Central hit the front by two points at the final break.

Supporters from both sides had been treated to a good old-fashioned stoush from their teams, and everyone was on the edge of their seats with expectations of an explosive final stanza.

Storming forward early, Norwood only managed a point to open the last quarter. After a settling in period, Central worked the ball forward for Westhoff to kick his third major, but the Redlegs soon answered – only one point separating the sides eight minutes in.

Then the floodgates opened. Chris Gowans kicked a pair of goals, which signalled an avalanche, the Dogs going on a rampage, with everyone joining in, for the game's final 10 goals.

Giles kicked a long bomb, Callinan booted number four, James Gowans managed to match his brother, Paul Thomas got into the act, as did Elijah Ware and Switala, with bustling Heath Lawry finishing with the final two.

The final 22 minutes of the game was a revelation of what Central is capable of, and if that work effort and determination can be harnessed for longer periods, there is no doubt the Bulldogs are headed in the right direction.

Switala played a great four quarter game to be best, while Slade kept bobbing up. James Gowans picked up numerous possessions, but it was his one per centers which stood out, and Daniel Schell continues to give good service at centre half back.

While Central is undefeated after five games, it has a couple of tough assignments coming up, with Port Adelaide under lights at Elizabeth this Saturday and then North Adelaide at Prospect.

Win both and the Dogs will be well clear on top, drop one, or worse both, and they will be back in the pack.

The club is making an all-out effort to attract the largest home crowd to Elizabeth since the formation of the Crows in 1991 for this Saturday's game against the Magpies, with all local football fans urged to attend.

Central District 23-11 (149) d Norwood 13-9 (87)
Best: Switala, Slade, J. Gowans, Schell, Mackenzie, Callinan, Giles.
Goals: Callinan 4, Lawry 4, J. Westhoff 3, J.
Gowans 2, O'Sullivan 2, C. Gowans 2, Slade, Goodrem, Giles, Thomas, Ware, Switala.

Have your say on this story on the CDFC forum.