POSITIVES OUTWEIGH NEGATIVES
By Robert Laidlaw

Round 16, 19/7/2008

For three quarters of last Saturday’s SANFL game between Central District and Norwood Redlegs at the Parade, the Bulldogs played like losers, but came storming home in a sensational last term to snatch a thrilling two point victory.

While many problems associated with Central’s 2008 season reappeared – especially a lack of consistency – the positives far outweighed the negatives, with the character-building win instilling plenty of belief in the team, as the business end of the year approaches.

To be six goals down early into the final quarter, after playing ordinary football for three quarters, and to then grab the premiership points is testament to the desire of the Bulldogs players.

Norwood made all the early running, kicking three goals in the first 10 minutes of the game. Some inaccuracy by the Redlegs kept Central in the contest, with Elijah Ware’s goal seeing the Dogs trail 1.1 to 3.7 at the first break.

The second quarter looked more promising for the visitors. After an early Norwood goal, Ian Callinan snapped a beauty to open the Bulldogs’ account, and Luke Cowan kicked two majors – Jason Mackenzie had a hand in two with clever handballs.

Trailing by just six points 10 minutes into the period it was game on, but the Redlegs opened up with five of the next six goals to lead by 31 points at the long break.

Central had a myriad of players coming in and out of the game, and with a lack of cohesion the Bulldogs looked like they were on the way to a heavy defeat. A crucial match-up saw Walker Taylor giving Central plenty of trouble with four goals, but Daniel Havelberg went onto him after half time and quelled his influence.

A grind is the best way to describe the third term as both sides made mistakes and neither could find any scoring ascendancy, with two goals each. The Redlegs held a five goal advantage at the final break.

When Norwood kicked a major to start the last quarter, the margin was 36 points, and the Redlegs looked the goods.

But a long bomb goal of the game from Brayden O'Hara, from outside 50m at the four minute mark, triggered some passion in the Bulldogs, and with persistence the fightback began.

Chad O’Sullivan received a clever pass from James Gowans a few minutes later and converted, then O’Hara kicked his third goal of the game at the 17 minute mark, with Central still trailing by 16 points as time on was reached.

James Gowans converted from close range 22 minutes in, and three minutes later Heath Lawry brought Central within a kick when he cleverly ‘pirouetted’ and steered a major through.

Time was ticking on, then at 27 minutes Callinan took a mark 45m out, and composed himself before steering his shot through the middle to raise the roof off the grandstand, as the Bulldogs were in front for the first time in the game.

Another behind saw Central three points ahead at the 29 minute mark, then Norwood took the ball down and from three forward thrusts only managed one point.

A long kickout from Adam Switala 32 minutes into the final stanza was marked on the members’ wing by Mackenzie as the siren sounded to leave Doggy fans elated and Norwood supporters speechless.

It was tough to pick best players as most had good patches and quiet moments. Any of a bunch could have earned top billing, with Callinan’s winning goal the icing on the cake.

This week the Bulldogs travel to Unley to take on Sturt, and will be keen to beat the Blues and send a clear message to the rest of the competition they are still in the race for the 2008 premiership.

Central District 1.1 5.2 7.5 13.8 (86 pts.)
Norwood 3.7 9.9 11.11 12.12 (84 pts.)
Best: Callinan, Slade, Thomas, J. Gowans, O'Sullivan, Havelberg, O'Hara.
Goals: O'Hara 3, Callinan 2, Cowan 2, Ware, Griffin, Goodrem, O'Sullivan, J. Gowans, Lawry.

Round 16 Award Winners

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