PROSPECT RUN ENDED
By Robert Laidlaw

Round 19, 11/8/2007

Central District Bulldogs suffered something they haven't for 10 years, a loss at Prospect Oval, going down by 35 points to North Adelaide Roosters.

The loss itself wasn't too worrying, as Central has sealed the minor premiership, but further injury concerns has weakened the club's armour leading into finals action.

With Trent Goodrem and Charles Slattery already part of the Dogs walking wounded, ruckman Jonathon Giles and mercurial Chris Gowans added to a growing list of concern, with knee and back problems.

In the midst of an accelerated training schedule in preparation for the finals, the players' workload has been tough, but with recent close victories over Port and Eagles, Central was expected to continue its winning run, but a determined Rooster unit proved too good.

The foundation of North's strong showing was laid in the first quarter, when the home side had too many runners and too much strength up front, and by the first break the Dogs had only managed a point to 4-1.

Fans did get a glimpse of Central's best in the second quarter though, when the Bulldog machine hit top gear.

A minute in Ian Callinan posted the visitors' first major, then soon after a long bomb goal of the game from Heath Lawry had Rooster fans rethinking their early celebrations.

When Callinan booted another high-pressure goal at the eight minute mark, there were only seven points separating the sides. A North major seemed to restore order, but a pair of mid-term goals from the Bulldogs closed the gap to three points.

Early into time on the Roosters managed two goals to grab a handy advantage, but Daniel Schell kicked his second major at the 25 minute mark, and at half time the margin was 11 points.

It seemed the Dogs had absorbed the punishment and were in a good position to do what it often does against North, come home strong for victory.

While the slow start had been masked with the second term effort, some worrying signs were to prove Central's undoing after the break, as too many players were not accountable, and too many were well down on expected form.

The move of Schell to the goal-front and Daniel Havelberg down back had been working, with both players contributing, but too many other regulars were struggling to find their feet, although a flu virus through the week may have taken its toll.

A slugfest developed in the early part of the third term, with only a Nathan Grima goal punctuating a pair of points from both teams in the first 15 minutes, which saw the home side five points in front.

Three time on goals saw the Roosters shoot out to a 25 point advantage at lemons, and it seemed only a miracle could save Central, as a roaring crowd were right behind North.

Both teams had five scoring shots each in the last quarter, but a return of only 1-4 to 3-2 ensured the visitors would not trouble a team many predict will challenge the Dogs for the premiership on grand final day, 2007.

Picking Central's best players was an easy task, as very few put in solid four quarter efforts, backman Andrew Hayes the obvious exception, with Scott Dutschke not far behind, both taking several good marks on the day.

This week a snarling Central District will be determined to rebound against South Adelaide in a home night game on Saturday, commencing at 6.30pm.

North Adelaide 13-12 (90) d Central District 8-7 (55)
Best: Hayes, Dutschke, Symes, Callinan, Williams.
Goals: Callinan 3, Schell 2, Lawry, Grima, Dutschke.

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