SANFL 2006 ROUND 14: WOODVILLE-WEST TORRENS v CENTRAL DISTRICT

Dogs lose to Eagles in September preview

By PETER ARGENT

HAVING played, and beaten the Eagles in four of the past six Grand Finals, it seems highly likely that Central will again meet the boys from Woodville somewhere in the finals series.

That will be the Bulldogs' next chance to bite back, after the Eagles overran them in the last quarter at Woodville on Saturday, to win by 24.

The two teams do not meet again in the minor round.

In a game worthy of a final, the Bulldogs started slowly on Saturday, but after giving up a five goal deficit were still a chance to win the contest with 10 minutes to go.

The Eagles finally collected the victory by 24 points with a flood of late goals, although in the Central District supporters' eyes it wasn't a convincing win by a team which is becoming a traditional rival for the faithful at the Ponderosa.

This was the Doggies' first defeat since the dark day against South Adelaide in round eight.

“In both our games against the Eagles this year, we played just over a quarter of football and still have been competitive against them,” Central District senior coach Roy Laird said.

“What this game did do is give our inexperienced players a game which had finals like pressure.

“There are plenty of upsides, considering many of our senior players were below par in this game.”

James Gowans was his usual combative self, kicking three goals and getting plenty of the hard balls, although some undisciplined efforts early would have frustrated his coach.

Adrian Wilson played the sweeping role across half back beautifully and set up many attacks especially in the middle two quarters.

Jason MacKenzie, used in defence, adapted to his new role well, and Elijah Ware collected numerous possessions off his wing.

Paul Scoullar, who had suffered indifferent form earlier in the season, beat one of the competition's best big men in Paul Lindsay.

Luke Cowan and rookie Justin Westhoff were competitive at times up forward, although the young talent from Tanunda was inaccurate in front of goal for the first time in his handful of league games.

Matt Slade played his milestone 150th league game, but this former Gawler Central junior and runner up to the 2004 Magarey Medal, will not remember it fondly

The Bulldogs, who in many ways still seem to be sleepers in this competition have a bye this week, before taking on Norwood at the Parade in round 16.

SCORES: Woodville-West Torrens 4.5 6.8 9.11 14.16 (100) defeated Central District 1.1 5.1 10.2 12.4 (76).

BEST: Eagles - Inkster, Cooper, Westbrook, Colville, Rugolo, Shattock; Central - J. Gowans, Scoullar, Ware, Mackenzie, Wilson C. Gowans.

GOALS: Eagles - Passador 5, Westbrook, Inkster, Knights 2, Rugolo, Cooper, Symmons; Central - J.Gowans 3, Ware, McCabe 2, Schell, J.Westhoff, Stengle, Sibenaler, Cowan.