SANFL 2006 ROUND 12:
GLENELG v CENTRAL DISTRICT
Tom Logan gives Tiger fans
something to cheer about as `Drop-off’ Bays fall at home
By STEVE BARRETT
GLENELG only needs to venture into its recent past to realise its
present campaign is at a crucial juncture.
From round 12 onwards in 2005, the Bays lost nine of their last 10
games to spiral out of contention, nose-diving from a 5-5 record to 6-14.
Glenelg was again 5-5 when it entered this year's round 12 fixture on the weekend when it tackled Central District, the
Tigers' ensuing 68-point loss giving them four defeats from their past five
matches.
A repetition of last year's meek decline from here on in would
undeniably terminate Glenelg's hopes of contesting the major round for the first
time since 1999.
But despite the result against Central, which saw the Tigers slip to
sixth, another similar collapse appears unlikely.
The Bays of 2006 appear to be a tighter unit, made of sterner stuff
than last years divided rabble.
Fast-starting Glenelg, unbeaten in first quarters this season,
continued that impressive trend when it took an eight-point lead into the first
change against the Dogs, after scoring the first goal through Brett Backwell, conceding the next three, then closing the quarter
with three unanswered.
A goalless second term from the Tigers saw the Bulldogs recapture the
lead, which they never ceded.
Central's 17-point half-time lead was increased to 28 at
three-quarter-time, before a ravenous 7.6 to 1.2 fourth term cavalcade resulted
in the Bays' heftiest defeat of the season.
In the last three quarters, the Bulldogs were never seriously
challenged and outscored Glenelg 16 goals to four, the difference in the two
sides' work rate clearly discernible, not to mention the gap in class between
the rival midfield divisions.
“It was one that we certainly didn't see coming,'' said Glenelg coach
Mark Mickan of the loss. ``I felt even though our
second and third quarters were average at best, we were still in a position to
challenge for a result (at three-quarter-time) just to drop away like that was a big
concern.
“Our work-rate dropped off completely - it got progressively worse as
the game went on.
“I don't think that (fitness) has been a problem.
“We had a very big pre-season, we do regular fitness work at training
and we monitor that pretty closely, so I’m not prepared to make any excuses.
“I think the mental aspect of pushing ourselves when it really counts
is whats important, and our ability to be smart with
the ball.''
After tough engagements with the Eagles and the Bulldogs over the past
fortnight, the draw doesnt get any easier for the
Tigers when they confront league leader
SCORES: Central District 3.4 7.6 12.7
19.13 (127) defeated Glenelg 4.6 4.7 7.9 8.11 (59).
BEST: Central - Scoullar,
Thomas, Switala, C.Gowans,
O'Sullivan, Graham; J. Gowans,
GOALS: Central - Switala
4, J.Westhoff, C.Gowans 3,
O'Sullivan, Cowan, Schell, Ware 2, L.Westhoff; Glenelg - Backwell 3, Horan, Saunders, Ruwoldt, Mules, Kirkby.