SANFL 2006 ROUND 17: CENTRAL
DISTRICT v SOUTH ADELAIDE
Tough road now
By ROBERT LAIDLAW
WITH last Saturday's round a “Back to the ’70s” extravaganza,
Panther fans would have hoped for a 70s result – like the 1979
preliminary final when the Panthers knocked off the Bulldogs to make their most
recent Grand Final.
But playing more to its recent form in the 21st century, South just wasn't good enough and may have squandered a
valuable opportunity of qualifying for the finals for the first time since
1992.
“We had a fair percentage of the play in the first 15 minutes but did
not capitalise, and through the second term Central lifted its intensity and we
did not match it,” Panthers coach Robert Pyman said.
South's vaunted forward set-up of Damian Cupido,
Ben Warren and Alwyn Davey
was ineffectual against the tight checking of Bulldog defenders Brad Currie,
Yves Sibenaler and Richard Cochrane, which proved the
pivotal match-ups of the game.
At quarter time Central led by five points, and with a seven goal to
one second term, set up its victory to lead by 43 points at half time, which
was also the final margin.
One worrying sign for the Panthers was when vice captain Ben Neagle limped off with an ankle injury, which was being
assessed this week.
Hopefully he will come up for this week's match at home against the
Eagles.
On the plus side, Port Adelaide's Matthew Bishop played for South and
did some useful things. His presence over coming weeks could be crucial if
South is to get back into the finals race.
The Panthers have home games against the Eagles and
Although two games behind the Bays and Redlegs,
South have an extra game in hand.
“There is no doubt an opportunity is still there with a game up our
sleeve,” Pyman said.
“We still play the two sides above us so we are still in control of our
destiny,” Pyman said.
“We took the Eagles to within a goal on their home deck, so this week
is another good challenge.”
With Central District playing in its 70s jumper with the big V, many
Interestingly the Panthers have had the famous blue and white longer
than any other club have retained their colours, and are still wearing the same
guernsey used when they won
the club's most recent flag in 1964.
“Any time the SANFL is promoted in a fun way, it is fantastic, full
credit to the people involved,” Pyman said.
“Anything for a little more interest is good. People look for quality
in the SANFL, especially as the AFL is not dishing up attacking footy at the
moment.”
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.