BULLDOGS LOSE AT THE BAY
By Robert Laidlaw

Round 6, 4/5/2008

Central District Bulldogs lost a heartbreaker at the Bay to Glenelg Tigers last Sunday, going down by three points after being headed for most of the contest.

A brilliant third quarter saw Central come from 25 points down three minutes into the third term to lead at the final break by three points, and after falling 14 points down 25 minutes into the last term, almost pulled off a miracle victory.

Overall the Bulldogs did not deserve to win, as too many skill errors in the first half proved costly, and Glenelg played the better football on the day, but the character the boys showed throughout will hold them in good stead.

A tight first term saw both sides waste opportunities, with pressure being applied all over the ground, and a late major from Elijah Ware saw Central lead 1.2 to 0.5 at quarter time.

Glenelg set up its win with a five goal push in 10 minutes early in the second term, when McConnell kicked three majors, one from a terrible error, where a kick across goals was eaten up by the hungry Tiger. At half time Central trailed 3.6 to 6.6.

Bulldog coach Roy Laird made some telling moves after half time, which changed the complexion of the game. Cameron Faulkner went on the dangerous McConnell, and quelled his influence, Luke McCabe went into the middle, and Daniel Schell shifted to the goalfront.

After the Tigers kicked the first goal of the third quarter, Schell took a great mark and passed off to Scott Dutschke for Central's first major of the half. A shocking turnover after a great mark by Andrew Hayes gifted Glenelg a goal after the Dogs booted three straight points.

Then Schell took the game by the scruff of the neck, kicking four goals from the 13 minute mark of the period to 22 minutes in, as Central grabbed the lead 9.9 to 9.7. His second major proved the goal of the game, when he swooped on a dropped mark and snapped a beauty.

After James Gowans took a ball off hands and booted a goal, clear over Glenelg High School, it looked like Central was well on its way to victory, but a late goal saw the Tigers only trail by three points at lemons.

McCabe had been a catalyst in the middle, with his experience a vital cog in helping with the Bulldogs fightback. His return to the side after retiring in 2006, proved a valuable addition.

A good long goal to open the final stanza from Ryan Williams seemed to be the perfect start, but then Glenelg went on the attack for the next three majors, to grab a 12 point lead, but its next seven scoring shots were all behinds.

Central had its chances to gain some momentum back, but two relatively easy misses proved costly, with McCabe's major deep into time on giving the Dogs hope, and unfortunately he slotted another 90 seconds later as the siren sounded, leaving the visitors still three points short.

Besides having Paul Thomas unavailable through suspension, the Bulldogs were also without Ian Callinan and Chris Gowans through injury, and both are expected to again be missing for the Eagles game this Saturday.

Although losing three premiership players, the depth of Central is such that they were replaced by three other premiership players in Luke Cowan, Ware and McCabe.

The Eagles are coming off a good victory over Sturt and will be hard to beat, but Central always respond well to a loss, so this Saturday's Elizabeth clash should live up to expectations for the rivalry round, at 6.30pm, with the curtain-raiser a BL&GFA game between Gawler Central and South Gawler.

Glenelg 0.5 6.6 10.7 13.15 (93 pts.)
Central District 1.2 3.6 10.10 13.12 (90 pts.)
Best: McCabe, Williams, L. Westhoff, Dutschke, Ware, Schell, Switala, Faulkner.
Goals: Schell 4, McCabe 2, Ware, O'Sullivan, Cowan, Dutschke, Lawry, J. Gowans, Williams.

Round 6 Award Winners

Have your say on this story on the CDFC Forum