CHARACTER WIN FOR DOGS
By Robert Laidlaw

Round 11, 17/6/2007

Central District Bulldogs showed a lot of character to come from behind and defeat South Adelaide Panthers by 21 points at Noarlunga on a bitterly cold day last Sunday.

Coming off their first loss of the season against Sturt the previous week, the Bulldogs seemed fired up, but South was prepared to ambush the visitors, and was determined to cause another upset.

Kicking with what seemed a strong favouring wind, which in reality swept across the ground and made crisp skills difficult, Central struggled after the Panthers kicked the first goal, and only managed one major from five forward forays up to time on of the first term.

A free kick at the 21 minute mark released Chad O'Sullivan for the Dogs' second major, but South scored twice late to lead 3-1 to 2-5 at the first break.

With an all out attack in the first six minutes of the second quarter the Panthers could have made Central pay, but with only two goals from five scoring shots, the lead was still within range, and an even battle developed, with the home side just 10 points up at half time.

The third term saw the Bulldogs assert their authority with three majors in the opening seven minutes, Andrew Hayes long bomb from outside 50m the goal of the game, putting Central nine points ahead.

South then fought back with the next two goals, but a pair of majors from Chris Gowans – one a long shot which just kept bouncing, and another from Ian Callinan saw the visitors 12 points up at lemons.

While the Dogs seemed to have all the running, South was coming home with the wind advantage, and many supporters were questioning whether Central could come through with the points.

Bad kicking plagued the Panthers, and with the game on the line they managed five consecutive points before scoring their first goal of the quarter at the 15 minute mark, Central having posted two through the hard work of Jason Mackenzie.

First the big fellow took a worm-burner mark and kicked a helicopter, aerodynamic-dissecting goal, before his bullocking work allowed Matthew Slade to run in for the second.

Leading by just 14 points at the 18 minute mark Central was still vulnerable, but Heath Lawry took a great grab, played on and snapped a right foot major to all but seal the result.

Another candidate for the goal of the game came four minutes later when Scott Dutschke gathered a loose footy and slammed it onto his boot, with the ball sailing high over the waiting pack at the goalmouth.

South did kick the final major of the match, but Central had played a much more disciplined and sparkling game after half time to leave a way-ward opponent asking several “what ifs?”

Richard Cochrane was magnificent in defence all game, and stood tall as Central's best four-quarter contributor.

After being blanketed to a certain degree in recent matches, Ian Callinan burst back with another fine game, while Paul Thomas is relishing his role since being moved to the wing a few weeks ago.

This Saturday night Central District take on Woodville West Torrens at Elizabeth in the SANFL's rivalry round. These sides have proven to be the best in the competition over the past seven years, and although the Eagles are coming off a pair of losses, a battle royal is assured.

Central District 14-11 (95) d South Adelaide 10-14
Best: R. Cochrane, Callinan, Thomas, Mackenzie, C. Gowans, Slade, J. Gowans.
Goals: C. Gowans 3, Callinan 2, O'Sullivan 2, Switala, J. Gowans, Hayes, Mackenzie, Slade, Lawry, Dutschke.

Have your say on this story on the CDFC forum.