RECORDS, MILESTONES AND A FAREWELL
By Robert Laidlaw

Round 13, 30/6/2007

Central District Bulldogs absolutely demolished Norwood Redlegs in last Saturday’s SANFL home game, handing the Parade boys their worst hiding in history, while also setting several records.

The 34-7 was Central’s first 30 goal effort against the Redlegs, and its highest score against Norwood, replacing the 26-21 kicked at Elizabeth in 1981, while the 158 point drubbing surpassed the 102 point spanking that day.

Interestingly, the past three 30 goal efforts from the Bulldogs were achieved with remarkable accuracy – 32-5 at Prospect against North in 2003, and 36-9 versus South at Elizabeth in 2002, and now 34-7 – all with 27 more goals than points!

Another record was the individual haul of teenage rookie Daniel Havelberg, whose 14 goals passed by one, club legend Grant Coffee’s previous best of 13 against Sturt in the opening round of 1993.

Two magnificent servants of the club also played milestone games, skipper and Magarey Medallist Paul Thomas racked up SANFL game number 100, while James Gowans joined his brother Chris as 150 game players while with the Bulldogs.

Finally, club veteran Brad Currie retired after the game, as he will be moving to California through work commitments.

The dour defender played 65 games for the Bulldogs, including the 2004/05 premierships, and with a long bomb major in the second quarter, finished with four goals for his career.

“I’ve always wanted to work overseas, so when this opportunity came up, I couldn’t say no,” Currie said. “I’ve been struggling with a toe and knee injuries, so I figured its better to let the team settle now before the finals.

“After accepting the position, I asked Roy [Laird] if I could play this last game, and it worked out beautifully with a memorable win.”

The last time Central played Norwood the Bulldogs broke open a tight contest with an 11 goals to one final quarter, and on Saturday it seemed all four terms were a mirror image of that last stanza effort.

Norwood kicked the first goal three minutes in, then Havelberg booted the next three, and four for the quarter, as Central piled on 8-2 to 3-1 for a handy lead at the first break.

Another Havelberg major five minutes into the second term seemed to signal the start of another onslaught, but the Redlegs kicked two consecutive goals to close within 24 points. That was it for the visitors until late in the third term, after another 13 Bulldogs’ majors.

Currie kicked his long bomb at the 14 minute mark, which looked a major contender for the goal of the match. Then another pair each from Havelberg and Ian Callinan, plus some Elijah Ware magic, and the lead was 15-4 to 5-3 at half time.

Scoring was slow at the start of the third quarter, with only three majors for the first 15 minutes – two from Havelberg, then Heath Lawry took a good mark and played on, bombing a tremendous goal of the game from well-outside 50m, which had the crowd salivating for more.

Havelberg then stepped up his game, kicking four goals in quick time to have six for the term and 13 for the game, which equalled Coffee’s previous mark. At the final changeover, the Bulldogs led by an intimidating 23-6 to 6-5.

The damage had been done, but Central was determined to finish the job, and in the first three minutes of the final term had milestone players James Gowans and Thomas kick goals, which laid the foundation of an 11 goal final hooray.

Interestingly, all 11 goals were kicked by different players – 11 different goalkickers in one quarter must also be a record! The highlight was the 30th major, which was kicked at the 17 minute mark by Havelberg, to break the club’s individual goalkicking record.

In a four-quarter performance, the Bulldogs did not have a passenger, as every player contributed, and to pick the order of best players after Havelberg would be a tough assignment.

This Sunday Central faces Glenelg, which has been playing some good football recently, at the Bay. On form, it would be an upset of biblical proportions if the Bulldogs drop this game.

Central District 34-7 (211 pts.) d Norwood 8-5 (53 pts.)
Best: Havelberg, J. Gowans, Slade, Callinan, McKenzie, C. Gowans, Symes, Lawry, O’Sullivan.
Goals: Havelberg 14, Callinan 5, Lawry 2, C.
Gowans 2, Ware 2, Slade 2, Currie, J. Gowans, Thomas, O’Sullivan, Switala, Giles, Dutschke.

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