SANFL 2006 ROUND 16: NORWOOD v CENTRAL DISTRICT

Dogs not that good - Laird laments Bulldogs’ missed opportunities

By ANDREW SPENCE

CENTRAL District's failure to kill off a determined Norwood at Coopers Stadium last Saturday has left the door open to a handful of sides looking to pinch third position and a double chance from the Dogs.

The Bulldogs dominated for most of the first half and looked like they would blow the game open mid-way through the second term when they stretched the quarter time lead out to 22 points.

Young forward Justin Westhoff again showed himself to be a player of the future, pulling down a handful of crucial grabs inside 50 and proving a useful sidekick for full-forward Daniel Schell.

But a series of missed opportunities by the Bulldogs allowed Norwood to claw its way back into the match and win the close tussle by two points.

Central District coach Roy Laird said the result was disappointing and that poor skill execution under pressure proved costly.

“We had some periods where we played some pretty good footy and looked dangerous but poor use of the ball and poor finishing killed us,” he said.

“I thought the first 15 minutes of the second quarter we dominated.

“Good sides put sides away in that position when they get an opportunity and we weren't good enough.”

Central was given one last chance to steal the game back when the game was restarted after the final siren after timekeepers notified the umpires the match had been brought to an end two seconds before time had elapsed.

The match was restarted with a ball-up inside the Bulldogs' attacking 50, much to the confusion of the celebrating Norwood fans, but the ball was quickly wrapped up by defenders before the siren was blasted for a second time.

Laird said the controversial finish didn't have any bearing on the end result.

“It was obviously pressed accidentally by mistake and it was only two seconds out ... but still it's not very professional.”

The Bulldogs remain in third spot on the ladder despite the loss but are now three wins behind North Adelaide and the Eagles.

Port Adelaide is only percentage behind the Bulldogs in fourth with Glenelg rounding out the five a further win back.

Norwood is out of the five on percentage, and South Adelaide is another win back.

Glenelg, Norwood and South, all of which have been battling for what seemed to be the last spot in the five, can now cast their eyes on the top three.

This Saturday Central will look for its first win in four weeks when it hosts South Adelaide.

“Fortunately we still find ourselves in a position where destiny is in our own hands,” Laird said.

SCORES: Norwood 3.1 7.1 10.4 13.7 (85) defeated Central District 5.2 7.7 11.9 12.11 (83).

BEST: Norwood – Thomas, Culpitt, Jackman, Vlatko, James, Cockshell; Central – J. Westhoff, McCabe, J. Gowans, Switala, C.Gowans, O'Sullivan.

GOALS: Norwood – Vlatko 5, Cockshell, 4, Campbell 2, Borlace, Nitschke; Central – Westhoff 4,

Schell 3, Ware 2, O'Sullivan, C.Gowans, McCabe.