ANOTHER GRAND FINAL CHAPTER
By Robert Laidlaw

Central District prepared another chapter for its 21st century grand final book, with a 30 point victory over Glenelg to qualify for its ninth consecutive premiership decider - yes nine straight!

How do the Bulldogs continually taste success in finals football this millennium, after being such a basket case last century? Pre-2000, Central went out wanting to play in grand finals, post-1999 its all been about belief.

Playing raging favourites Glenelg, after the Bays had sat back and watched Central District and Sturt throw everything at each other the previous week, the Bulldogs looked the fresher side, after turning a six-point half time lead into a match-winning 34 point advantage at the final break.

The northern club is good. The best in the business, and Sunday's victory ensures the town will again be painted red, white and blue.

A major part of the successful formula is the local content, with 11 of the 21 players coming from the Bulldogs country area, including youngsters Scott Dutschke (21) and Matthew Westhoff (20) from Tanunda, Kapunda's Jonathan Giles (20), Gawler Central's Brayden O'Hara (20), and Willaston's James Moss (18).

Screaming out of the blocks, Centrals had two goals on the board in the game's first three minutes through full forward Daniel Schell, and when Ian Callinan kicked truly at the 12 minute mark, the Dogs looked to be on fire.

Glenelg steadied and kicked three goals in reply, but Chad O'Sullivan booted a late major to see Central eight points up at the first break.

Just 16 seconds into the second term the Tigers had a goal on the board. Five minutes later, off one step, Schell snapped the goal of the game to restore the Dogs buffer.

The next five scoring shots were from Glenelg. Fortunately the Tigers were a little inaccurate, only managing two majors, as they led by five points. Time on goals to Schell and O'Hara shifted momentum, as Central regained the lead at half time, by just six points.

Playing perhaps their best quarter of football of the season, the Bulldogs ran riot through the third term, kicking 6-1 to 1.2 to grab a stranglehold on the game with a 34 point lead at the final break.

Two clever goals from Trent Goodrem, from a similar spot in the pocket, just two minutes apart, were a highlight, as was O'Hara's long bomb and Schell's fifth.

When Central kicked the first goal of the last stanza, the game was in the bag, with the final three majors of the game from Glenelg reducing the margin to five goals after it had blown out to 47 points.

Jason Mackenzie again rose to the challenge of finals footy, and for the second straight week, was the Bulldogs best four-quarter player.
Ryan Williams looked a mature player coming out of defence, belying his tender 19 years of age.

Schell was magnificent at the goal front, his accurate kicking a feature, while O'Hara again showed he really belonged at this level, with a pacy and courageous game from the wing.

The old firm of the Gowans twins, James and Chris, and Matthew Slade, worked hard all game, showing their six premiership medallion form.

After a week off, Central District will play its ninth consecutive, and 11th overall, grand final against the winner of Sunday's preliminary final between Glenelg and Sturt.

Central District 4.3 7.5 13.6 16.9 (105 pts.)
Glenelg 3.1 6.5 7.7 11.9 (75 pts.)
Best: Mackenzie, Williams, Schell, O'Hara, J. Gowans, C. Gowans, O'Sullivan, Thomas.
Goals: Schell 5, Callinan 3, O'Sullivan 2, O'Hara 2, Goodrem 2, C. Gowans, J. Gowans.

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