UNDEFEATED HOME RECORD
By Robert Laidlaw

Round 21, 26/8/2007

Central District completed an undefeated home season with a 28 point victory over second-placed Sturt Blues, which also completes a set of victories over every other side in 2007.

In spite of winning its sixth minor premiership of the 21st century, Saturday night's win at the Ponderosa ensured a clean slate at home for the first time this millennium, the only other two times the club has achieved the feat was in 1988 and 1995.

With the Dogs showing patchy form over recent weeks, Central had to make a statement against Sturt, and it did so in emphatic style, as the team played its best football in over a month, which augurs well with finals around the corner.

The first quarter was a hum-dinger, as the Blues threw everything at the home side, but Central had the answers. Sturt booted the first goal two minutes in, then Heath Lawry collected a ball off hands and replied for the Dogs.

Lawry again answered another Double Blue major, and then for the third time of the quarter Sturt had a goal replied to by Lawry! Early into time on the visitors kicked a fourth six-pointer, but then a rush by Central gave it the advantage.

Scott Dutschke took a great mark and converted, followed by a magnificent thread from the boundary when Daniel Havelberg measured his kick, then Nathan Grima completed the damage with another goal, and the Dogs led 6-3 to 4-0 at quarter time.

It seemed Central had broken Sturt's spirit, when early in the second term Elijah Ware threaded a ball through traffic to James Gowans for the opening goal, but the second did not come to the 15 minute mark, after both sides had only added two behinds each.

With hard work, especially from James Gowans in close, Ian Callinan made the most of an opportunity when he snapped a magnificent left foot 'goal of the game' from 40m out, and suddenly the Dogs were 27 points up and cruising.

But Sturt responded with a brace of three goals in two minutes early into time on, Matthew Slade's steadier on the siren giving the home team a slender 9-7 to 7-2 lead at the long break.

Hard work early in the third quarter did not pay dividends for Central with a return of 1-4 in the first 11 minutes, while the Blues added a major.

Then a good series of play, started at half back by Daniel Schell, through Chad O'Sullivan and Paul Thomas, finished with Havelberg, who kicked a goal at the 15 minute mark.

With confidence high, the Bulldogs were running in numbers and pushing the ball forward, and after a high bomb from Thomas, Alan Obst took a courageous mark running into a goalsquare pack, and converted.

Havelberg chipped in with his third of the game entering time on, then Nathan Grima took a strong mark in front of goals and Central was 14-12 to 8-3 up at lemons.

Sturt wasn't done just yet though, and with three quick goals in the first eight minutes of the final term, closed to 28 points, with steadying majors from Obst and Dutschke closing the door.

Overall it was a good team effort, with only two minor lapses preventing a blow-out by the Dogs. The desperation which was the side's trademark in the first half of the season has returned, which is timely with only one more game before the finals.

Matthew Slade was outstanding around the stoppages, Brad Symes continued his great form, and Daniel Schell again made centre half back his.

Obst had a good return to the league side after an injury-interrupted season, while the tall timber of Grima, Lawry and Havelberg up forward is looming as a plus in the finals.

This week Central travel to Norwood in a game it needs to use as a warm-up to the finals. The Redlegs will be looking for some pay-back after being embarrassed last time the teams met, but the Bulldogs have more to play for and should win comfortably.

Central District 16-15 (111) d Sturt 13-5 (83)
Best: Slade, Symes, Schell, Lawry, Grima, Thomas.
Goals: Lawry 3, Havelberg 3, Grima 3, Dutschke 2, Obst 2, J. Gowans, Callinan, Slade.

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