ANZAC SPIRIT SHINES THROUGH
By Robert Laidlaw

Round 5, 25/4/2008

Central District mirrored its 21st century grand final record, with a sixth win from eight consecutive ANZAC Day contests, holding North Adelaide at bay for a 19 point victory last Friday.

Playing good quality football, except for a little wayward kicking, the Dogs led 3.6 to 1.4 at quarter time, but should have been at least five goals up, as they seemed to be dominating all over the ground.

James Gowans, playing his first game of the season after serving a three match suspension, looked in ominous form, with twin Chris also stepping up the ante, while Chad O'Sullivan was electric around the packs, and forwards Heath Lawry and Daniel Havelberg were firing.

Havelberg booted a pair of majors, and could have had a third after taking the mark of the game, but missed.

Quick goals from James Gowans and O'Sullivan early in the second term, and another shortly after when Lawry marked and played on to kick a long bomb for goal of the game, saw the Dogs cruising with a 32 point advantage.

But North halted the momentum to boot the next three majors, before a late goal from Charles Slattery, after receiving a clever handball from Cameron Faulkner, saw Central lead 7.9 to 4.7 at half time.

The third quarter saw a change come over the game, with the Bulldogs wasting too many disposals and losing its momentum, then North kicking three quick goals in five minutes through the middle of the term, with some questionable discipline by the Dogs, and some over-umpiring.

At the final change Central only led by two points, with three of the Roosters four majors for the period coming from frees and 25m or 50m penalties.

Only by re-grouping and re-accessing how it was going to play the final term could save the Bulldogs from an embarrassing defeat, after earlier in the game having all the control.

Early goals were imperative, and when Leigh Westhoff pounced on a defensive error three minutes in for the first, then shortly after Havelberg marked and kicked truly, Central had righted the ship.

O'Sullivan kicked a good pack goal close to 10 minutes into the final stanza, and after North managed one major against the flow of play half way through, a workman-like accurate shot from Chris Gowans sealed the result.

While the Bulldogs have not been playing to their best in the season's first four matches, they have been successful three times, and still have plenty of improvement.

Having James Gowans back in the side was a bonus, as he not only plays well in big games, but as a package, the twins always perform better when they play together, as Chris was also on fire.

Both O'Sullivan around the packs and Lawry as a key forward played their best games of the year, while Mr. Consistent, Paul Thomas was again solid, winning his third Bob Quinn Medal as best in an ANZAC Day clash.

This week Central has a tough assignment when it travels to Glenelg for a Sunday clash with the Tigers, after the Bays became the first team to beat Sturt this season, with a 14 point victory last Saturday.

Central District 3.6 7.9 8.12 12.12 (84 pts)
North Adelaide 1.4 4.7 8.10 9.11 (65 pts.)
Best: C. O'Sullivan, J. Gowans, C. Gowans, P. Thomas, R. Cochrane, H.
Lawry, D. Havelberg.
Goals: D. Havelberg 3, C. O'Sullivan 3, J. Gowans, H. Lawry, C.
Slattery, T. Goodrem, L. Westhoff, C. Gowans.

Round 5 Award Winners

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