FINAL VICTORY AGAIN
By Robert Laidlaw

Round 22, 1/9/2007

For the eighth consecutive season, Central District Bulldogs have gone into the finals on the back of a victory with a win in the last minor round game, defeating Norwood Redlegs by 58 points at the Parade.

While the game wasn't necessarily the perfect springboard into the finals, the Dogs have shown in past years the result of the final minor round game doesn't always reflect the way they approach football at the business end of the season.

Norwood had nothing to play for but pride, which had been left in tatters after the teams had previously met - a 158 point Redleg spanking at Elizabeth - while Central faced a fortnight off without any football whatsoever.

Although the smaller confines of Norwood Oval does not suit the way the Dogs play, Central worked hard to get its game structure working, and there were enough good signs to indicate the team is working up to something special.

The first term seemed to indicate the visitors were determined to find a successful system, but may have been marred by a little overuse of the footy, although two passages of play resulted in good team goals, one finished off with a great snap from Chad O'Sullivan.

Leading 3-2 to 0-2 half way through the opening quarter, Central seemed to be building towards a solid victory, but then Norwood stepped up and booted two of the next three majors, reducing the Dogs lead to 11 points at the first break.

A purple patch from Scott Dutschke highlighted a good period for Central early in the second quarter, as the Dogs kicked the first four goals in the opening 10 minutes.

Elijah Ware laid a great tackle, and with a clever handball set Dutschke up for the first major, then a neat pass from the on-fire youngster saw O'Sullivan kick his third goal of the game, and soon after the man of the moment kicked another.

Alan Obst was starting to make his presence felt as a tall forward option, and when he recovered from a failed tap on attempt, kicked a major to see the Dogs cruising.

After a lull, goals to Heath Lawry and James Gowans extended the advantage, with a sole late answer from Norwood leaving the visitors 10-8 to 3-7 up at half time.

Bursting out of the blocks in the third term, Central kicked three majors in the first five minutes, including a right foot snap, goal of the game, from James Gowans.

The fire then went out of the game, as Norwood kicked the only goal until time on through a 15 minute period, before two majors from Central and a final six-pointer just before the siren by the Redlegs, for the Dogs to lead 15-11 to 5-9 at lemons.

An un-inspiring final stanza saw Norwood kick two quick goals, then a drag-it-out period over the final 20 minutes, with both sides only adding a major each.

The running and ball-gathering skills of Paul Thomas and Brad Symes stood out all game, while the work ethic of James Gowans and Matthew Slade was outstanding.

Daniel Schell again was the glue which held the defence together, Obst earned his spot for the finals as a key forward, and Ware showed some electric moments and will be an important factor looming around the goals in up-coming games.

Lee Spur made his debut with aplomb, and fitted in like a glove, while Jason Mackenzie played a lone hand in ruck all game – as Jonathon Griffin was called up to the Crows, and Jonathan Giles was eased back through the reserves – and performed admirable.

Central now has the chance to plan its finals attack, as its next match is the second semi-final on September 23. The Dogs will be aiming for a spectacular eighth consecutive victory in second semi-finals, which will reap a record eighth straight grand final appearance.

Central District 16-15 (111) d Norwood 8-12 (60)
Best: Thomas, Symes, J. Gowans, Slade, Schell, Mackenzie, Obst, Ware.
Goals: O'Sullivan 3, Obst 3, Dutschke 2, Lawry 2, J. Gowans 2, Ware 2, Callinan, Havelberg.

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