DOGS FAIL AT UNLEY
By Robert Laidlaw

Round 2, 5/4/2008

A miserable 44 point loss to Sturt at Unley Oval has Central District searching for answers in the SANFL, as the reigning premiers looked underdone against the apparent early season pacemakers.

Playing at Unley was a nightmare for Central up to 1985, with just two victories, but since the Blues returned to their home in the late 90s, the Dogs won every encounter up to last season, and now have back-to-back unsuccessful ventures to the ground.

Another negative from the game was the Bulldogs new 'away' guernsey, which psychologically makes the players look smaller, and definitely less intimidating.

Bring back the traditional Central successful premiership jumper for every game, which has helped gain the respect of the whole competition, and strikes fear in opposition players!

Playing on the smaller confines of Unley Oval, the Bulldogs struggled to execute its switching game, while Sturt often managed to find space, highlighting the home ground advantage for the Blues, and the uniqueness of Australian football, as teams need to adapt for different venues.

It seemed Central was in charge early through majors to Scott Dutschke and Ian Callinan in the first 10 minutes of the game, but a four goal burst from the Blues saw the home team grab an eight point advantage at the first break.

Several match-ups looked to be working for the Dogs, as Daniel Schell, who was converted into a defender last season, returned to the goalfront, Daniel Havelberg was given the assignment on former Crow Ian Perrie, and Yves Sibenaler was matched up on goal machine Brant Chambers.

Over the next two quarters, Sturt would score early goals and Central would respond, with the Blues inching to a 14 point lead at half time and extend it to 18 by the final break.

The goal of the game came in the second term after ruckman Earl Shaw, who made a crucial error to gift a Blues major, won the ball out of the middle and kicked forward, where Chad O'Sullivan gathered and kicked truly with a long running shot.

While the Bulldogs had stayed in touch throughout the contest, Sturt had played the better footy, and in the final stanza opened with three quick goals to extend its advantage to 35 points.

Playing its best football of the game, Central then mounted a courageous fightback, with three goals, two from Ian Callinan, and at the 12 minute mark the Bulldogs trailed by just 16 points and seemed to have all the momentum.

After trading goals, Central was still within reach of an unlikely victory entering time on, but the next seven scoring shots were to be kicked by Sturt, as the better team on the day proved too good.

Four quarter good players were hard to find for the Dogs, as too many went missing. Captain Paul Thomas gave his all and often put his body on the line to be the standout, Havelberg won his duel with Perrie, and Schell provided a good target.

After straining his hamstring at training on Friday, Luke McCabe pulled out of the side on Saturday, and is probably a few weeks away from resuming. Elijah Ware returns against Norwood, but probably in the reserves, while Jeremy Aufderheide isn't too far away.

Nathan Steinberner and Cameron Faulkner both managed to get through the reserves game on Saturday, and may come under consideration, while Chris Musolino and Daniel Boyle put their hands up for inclusion with solid performances in the twos.

Central District face Norwood at home this Saturday night at 6.30pm, focused on getting back on track. Last season in the corresponding game, the Dogs handed the Redlegs a record 158 thrashing, which will add some spice to this week's encounter.

Sturt 4.5 7.6 9.10 17.15 (117 pts.)
Central District 3.3 5.4 7.4 11.7 (73 pts.)
Best: Thomas, Havelberg, Schell, Cochrane, C. Gowans.
Goals: Callinan 3, Schell 2, Dutschke, O'Sullivan, Slade, Lawry, Goodrem, Slattery.

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