SANFL 2006 ROUND 17: CENTRAL
DISTRICT v SOUTH ADELAIDE
Dogs in the groove – Central puts
away Panthers as crowd revels in ’70s colour
By ROBERT LAIDLAW
CENTRAL District Football Club celebrated the “Living in the ’70s”
weekend in style last Saturday, with a 43-point victory over
The colours, sights and sounds from 30 years ago were evident, while on
the field the Bulldogs went back to something akin to what supporters have been
accustomed to in more recent times, with a comprehensive win against a side
challenging for a finals berth.
Coming off two losses, Central hit South with a seven goal second
quarter, putting the result beyond doubt early.
With Quinton Graham dropped to the reserves and Stuart Cochrane pulling
out after a hamstring injury on Friday, the Dogs brought in Richard Cochrane
after a month out injured and rookie Chris Musolino,
both slotting in nicely.
In the first term Central, which has been hard hit with injuries this
season, suffered a big blow when Luke Cowan strained his abductor as he took a
mark, and he may be missing for up to four weeks.
A four goal effort from Chad O'Sullivan in the second term set the Bulldogs
on their way.
The last half was fairly even, and the 43-point margin at the long
break remained the same at the finish.
South's vaunted forward set-up of Damian Cupido,
Ben Warren and Alwyn Davey
was ineffective against the tight checking of Bulldog defenders Brad Currie,
Yves Sibenaler and Richard Cochrane, which proved the
pivotal match-ups of the game.
While fans enjoyed Centrals effort on the field, they would have also
enjoyed many of the 1970s innovations.
Umpires dressed in period costume, with even the goal umpires wearing
moustaches and raincoats, while music from the era was played through the
breaks.
The Dogs looked a treat in their V jumpers, and many supporters also
got into the spirit of the day with clothing from the period.
Even the old Tooralie Ooralie
Attattie club song greeted players as they entered
the playing arena.
“The pleasing thing was we had identified our movement forward as an
area to work on and we showed improvement there,” said Central coach Roy Laird,
who became a father through the week.
“It was good the players were willing to embrace that and work on it in
the match. But I was a little disappointed we still could not finish off the
game. I want us to play four quarters, which I don't think we have done this
year.
“Our first 10 minutes last Saturday was lacklustre, and something we
need to address. Sturt this week gives us an opportunity to focus on some of
those areas.
“We still have too many periods where the side seems to just be going
through the motions.”
This Saturday Central District plays Sturt at Adelaide Oval.
With the Dogs hunting for the double chance and the Blues going
now-where, this game could be a blow-out, but will likely be close and tough,
as games between these sides often are in the 21st century.
SCORES: Central District 3.2 10.5 15.8 19.9
(123) defeated
BEST: Central – O'Sullivan, J.Gowans, C.Gowans, Slade, Switala, McKenzie,
GOALS: Central – Schell, O'Sullivan 4,
J. Westhoff, Griffen,
Cowan; South – Iljcesen
4, Bishop, Wright 2, Warren, Archard, Thewlis, Davey.