SANFL 2006 ROUND 23:
WEST ADELAIDE v CENTRAL DISTRICT
North within reach - Bulldogs
confident ahead of double chance Roosters clash
By ROBERT LAIDLAW
CENTRAL District wrapped up the double chance for the seventh
consecutive season with a 10-goal victory over
Interestingly, although having played 13 finals matches in the past six
years, the Bulldogs have not seen September action at Adelaide Oval since a six
point preliminary final loss against Port Adelaide in 1972 – a 34-year wait.
With reasonably good form over the past month, Central will be confident
of beating the Roosters, and keeping its undefeated record against North in
finals alive – the sides have only met once in a final, a 19-point Bulldog
victory in the 1997 first semi-final.
Dropping out of the side for the West game were James Gowans, Richard Cochrane and Daniel Schell, but all are
expected to return for this week's big clash, while Justin Westhoff
is also a slight chance, but most likely will return the following week.
“We had good periods against West and a good start,” Bulldog coach Roy
Laird said.
“Perhaps in the sub-conscious the boys may have thought about looking
after their bodies, although we did try to avoid that.
“It was a vital game for us to win and we still needed to try and
improve in some areas. West may have been bottom but were a danger side for
us.”
After kicking the only five goals of the first quarter, the Bulldogs
seemed in complete control, and after leading 10.6 to 2.8 late in the second
quarter conceded three consecutive goals.
Another worrying period was in the third term when Central booted six
unanswered points, but with the only four majors of the final term, won easily.
Good signs for the Bulldogs coming into this week's finals include Chad
O'Sullivan's hot form on the ball, Luke Cowan regaining some confidence up
front, and Chris Musolino's development as an
important defender.
Just two weeks ago Central lost to North Adelaide at home by two points
after being 37 points down in the last term, while earlier in the season the
Dogs won easily, which makes Sunday's final a must see.
“We have a genuine eagerness to have a crack at North,” Laird said.
“The Roosters were too good the previous week, but we had a good look at a form
side going into the finals.
“After the North game we identified areas for us to exploit and we are
ready to have a red hot go.”
SCORES: Central District 5.4 11.6 13.12
17.16 (118) defeated
BEST: Central – O'Sullivan, Musolino, Slade, Sibenaler, L. Westhoff, Switala, Ware; West –
GOALS: Central – O'Sullivan 4, Cowan 3, Switala, Ware, L. Westhoff 2,
Currie, C.Gowans, Wilson, MacKenzie;
West – Dragicevic
2, Haynes, Caire, Hutchins, O'Sullivan, Wood.