ANOTHER UNCONVINCING WIN FOR DOGS
By Robert Laidlaw

Round 10, 7/6/2008

Central District Bulldogs did it again on Saturday at Elizabeth – claimed a win over a lower-ranked side without being convincing, defeating South Adelaide Panthers by 31 points, with a lack-lustre last quarter frustrating supporters.

While South was expected to put up a good showing after a change of coach, the Bulldogs had everything to play for in the final stanza, but put up a meek performance, their final four shots on goal all points, while the Panthers added 2.2 (and 3.3 for the quarter).

If not for a good third term, Central would have been in a little trouble, as the final quarter proved irritating, although a hard recent training regime may have left the players leg-weary.

Coach Roy Laird put his troops through a normal session on Monday (June 9) after the game, but will leave the players to their own devises for a week, as they will be expected to do their own work, but come back refreshed after the bye for an attack on top-of-the-table Glenelg.

Against South, Luke McCabe posted the first major of the game, but then the Panthers booted three consecutive goals, and four of the next five.

Central fought back through a good snap from Chad O'Sullivan, who converted a Scott Dutschke tap on, then straight kicks from Daniel Havelberg and Elijah Ware saw the Dogs lead by six points at the first break.

South levelled the score 30 seconds into the second quarter, while Matt Slade answered three minutes later, and Trent Goodrem's high shot bounced the right way soon after. By half time Central had built a 16 point buffer.

The win was set up in the first six minutes of the third term after goals to Leigh Westhoff, Havelberg and Ware extended the advantage to 34 points. Both sides then added four majors each up to three quarter time.

James Gowans kicked the goal of the game two minutes into the final stanza, when his snap seemed to aerodynamically twist through the air before bouncing in the goal square past some surprised players for a major.

After South kicked a goal a minute later, Westhoff added Central's final major at the eight minute mark, which preceded a 17 minute period of football not usually associated with a Bulldogs' home game.

Centreman James Gowans was in brilliant form around the ground, as was rover Chad O'Sullivan.

Paul Thomas continued his high-possession recent performances, and laid another five tackles.

The 'Rolls Royce' of the engine room, Luke McCabe again featured in plenty of scoring opportunities for Central, while Elijah Ware found some form, booting four goals.

Of their performance, coach Laird said: “The players are on notice, they must use the next week professionally. They have to play a four quarter brand of football.”

Glenelg is sitting on top of the SANFL ladder, and with Central, has the bye this week. The last time the sides played in round six at the Bay, the home team won by three points. On the positive ledger for the Bulldogs, Glenelg has not won at Elizabeth since 1992.

Central District 5.2 9.3 16.7 18.11 (119 pts.)
South Adelaide 4.2 6.5 10.7 13.10 (88 pts.)
Best: J. Gowans, O'Sullivan, Thomas, Ware, McCabe, Dutschke.
Goals: Ware 4, O'Sullivan 2, Havelberg 2, L.
Westhoff 2, McCabe, Slade, Goodrem, O'Hara, Mackenzie, Lawry, Giles, J. Gowans.

Round 10 Award Winners

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