BULLDOGS START ON WINNING NOTE
By Robert Laidlaw

Round 1, 29/3/2008

Central District Bulldogs opened the SANFL season with a 20-point victory over Port Adelaide Magpies at Elizabeth last Saturday night, a scintillating opening term proving the difference.

As reigning premiers, the Bulldogs will again assume the mantel of the hunted, and although fielding a different line-up to the 2007 grand final, there were enough signs to indicate the team will be in the mix for this season's premiership race.

Playing with confidence and executing a direct game plan, Central looked good in the first quarter, as forward options were used to perfection, resulting in set shots on goal within range, and a 5.0 to 1.3 lead at the first break.

Matthew Slade was working the ball out of packs with his trademark tenacity, Leigh Westhoff offered plenty of drive from his wing, Luke Cowan was finding the pill in the key forward post, and Daniel Havelberg looked a danger up front with two majors.

Port lifted a notch in the second term, as the Bulldogs intensity seemed to wane, and a touch of laissez faire seemed to infiltrate the home team's cohesion, with the Magpies looking to threaten.

Fortunately two good goals from Central answered both of the visitor's majors, Slade reading the ball off hands to slot the goal of the game with a nice running shot, and Westhoff finished off some good work with another running major, as the Bulldogs led 7.2 to 3.5 at half time.

Ian Callinan came alive in the third term with two nice goals to help the Dogs find some answers to the Magpies' onslaught, which saw Central hold just a 13 point lead at lemons, 11.2 to 8.7. But it was Port which was controlling play, and the home side would need to lift to stave off defeat.

When the Magpies opened the final stanza with an early goal, it may have been panic time, but second half hero Callinan stepped in again to stem the flow with a nice goal at the five minute mark, which ignited a 'lost' soul to run from the northern end clad in just his underwear.

Interestingly not too many of those present, players, supporters or officials, seemed to care and fortunately the disruption proved minimal, and only a minute or two was lost before play re-commenced, although an orange flare was let off to add some colour to the dull night sky.

A 10 minute unproductive period saw just a minor score to the visitors, but when Port booted a goal at the 16 minute mark, the margin was down to seven points, and an upset looked on the cards.

But the Doggies' trademark late game push came into force, and time-on goals to Westhoff and Heath Lawry sealed the result, Central running out 14.4 to 10.8 victors.

There were seven changes from the reigning premiers' grand final side, with some good signs coming to the fore. Luke Cowan, injured for most of 2007, showed glimpses of his strong marking bustling forward style in his 100th game for the club.

Leigh Westhoff, who languished in the reserves most of last season, made the most of his recall to the team with a solid performance from the wing, while youngsters Ryan Williams, Lee Spurr and Daniel Boyle had good moments.

Trent Goodrem, who was also injured through the latter part of last season, returned to the league team without missing a beat, while new ruckman Earl Shaw looks the real deal in an important debut.

Best on ground against Port was the evergreen Matthew Slade, who, although being an elder statesman of the club, looks to be in for another tremendous year.

This Saturday Central travel to Unley to play Sturt, which is being tipped as an early premiership favourite, at a ground where the Bulldogs lost for the first time since 1985 last year.

On form the Blues may start favourites, and it will be a good early season test for Central, as the SANFL gears up for what could be its closest fought competition for a number of years.

Central District 14.4 (88) d Port Adelaide 10.8 (68 pts.)
Best: Slade, L. Westhoff, Switala, Callinan, Hayes, Sibenaler.
Goals: Havelberg 3, Callinan 3, Lawry 2, L. Westhoff 2, Cowan, Dutschke, Slade, Mackenzie.

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