PLENTY TO SMILE ABOUT
By Robert Laidlaw

Central District Bulldogs returned to the winners' circle after suffering its first loss of the season to Sturt the previous week, as a second half avalanche provided a 71 point victory over Norwood Redlegs at Elizabeth last Saturday night.

After displaying some of the previous week's error-ridden ball-handling skills in the first half, the Bulldogs re-grouped and played some of their best football of the season through the third and final terms to send a strong message to the rest of the SANFL.

Although appearing to have an edge in class through the first quarter, Central could not put enough scoreboard pressure on, and at the first break led 4.4 to 2.1, first-gamer Cameron Faulkner's clever bouncing goal the highlight.

The second term was almost a mirror image of the first, up to time on, with two magic Ian Callinan majors the standout, the second at the 18 minute mark the goal of the game, when he slotted a long shot on the run under pressure.

Norwood then had a purple patch with a goal and a near miss late in the half to reduce the home side's lead to 15 points, 7.7 to 5.4, at the long break.

With confidence high, the Redlegs seemed to leave Central flat footed early in the third quarter, but missed several easy opportunities, closing to within seven points six minutes in.

A distinct change then came over the game, as the Dogs stepped up a gear, which left Norwood in tatters. A work-fuelled 10 minute period saw little reward though, as the home team only added one goal from five scoring shots, before the floodgates opened.

Callinan proved the catalyst, as first he shovelled out a clever handball to Paul Thomas for a goal, then added two of his own, one outside 50m after the siren, to push Central 11.12 to 6.6 ahead at lemons.

The dominance continued in the first half of the final stanza, as first rookie Matt Westhoff snarled a pair of majors, then three more from Daniel Havelberg, Paul Thomas and Scott Dutschke, saw the Bulldogs 10 goals clear.

Dutschke was on fire in the final term, and leading into time on, his smother, chase, gather and handball, exemplified the best of the Dogs in the second half, as Central was in ominous form, capping the 17.13 to 6.8 victory.

While captain Matthew Slade was in-and-under all game and the catalyst for many forward forays, best on ground honours went to Callinan, who's work under pressure in slotting five majors and handing out several others, stood out.

On the wings, Leigh Westhoff and Adam Switala supplied plenty of drive, and offered Central numerous avenues out of defence, while Thomas, Chris Gowans and Charles Slattery consistently found a lot of ball.

Rookie Matthew Westhoff become the third sibling to play league football with Central, joining brother Leigh on the park last Saturday, while Justin made his debut two years ago and is now at Port Adelaide. He played well, especially in the second half, kicking three majors.

Central has the bye this week, then play North Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on ANZAC Day, in the traditional match between the previous season's grand finalists.

Several key personnel should be available, including Daniel Schell, who pulled out of last Saturday's game with a sore shoulder, and Luke Cowan, who had an arthroscopy on his knee. James Gowans returns from suspension, while Elijah Ware and Luke McCabe will also be considered.

Central District 4.4 7.7 11.12 17.13 (115 pts.)
Norwood 2.1 5.4 6.6 6.8 (44 pts.)
Best: Callinan, Slade, L. Westhoff, Thomas, Switala, C. Gowans, Slattery, M. Westhoff.
Goals: Callinan 5, M. Westhoff 3, Thomas 2, Lawry, Faulkner, Williams, C. Gowans, Havelberg, Dutschke, O'Sullivan.

Round 3 Award Winners

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