SANFL 2006 ROUND 23: WEST ADELAIDE v CENTRAL DISTRICT

Bloods to threaten in '07

By ROBERT LAIDLAW

WITH the chance to get off the bottom of the table with a victory against Central District last Sunday, West Adelaide had plenty to play for.

But it started lethargically, which cost it any chance of matching it with the under-manned Bulldogs, who won by 60 points. West's two victories in 2006 is its worst season since the 1930s, when the club only won two matches in 1931 and 1936, and none in 1933.

The Bloods lost the Grand Final three years ago, then dropped to fifth place before back-to-back wooden spoons, but with a dozen players 22 years or under, West is rebuilding and should be able to match it with the higher-placed sides next season. Central District has been the measuring stick for a number of years, and while the Bloods were never really in the game on Sunday, there were some good signs, and with a bit of luck they could have troubled the Dogs.

West made too many skill errors under pressure, with old hands Ben Hollands, Ben Haynes, and Marc Dragicevic trying desperately to steady the ship.

As players like teenagers Alex Hutchins and Daniel Caire gain experience, the Bloods have the foundations of a solid combination, and can take heart in what the future promises.

Against Central, conceding five goals while not kicking a major in the first term hurt West, while some wayward kicking, including only three points in the first quarter and five points in the last stanza, hurt the Bloods.

Surprisingly Haynes, who has been in outstanding form for West this season, was a major culprit, only converting one major from seven scoring shots, while Dragicevic breathed some life into the contest through the third quarter with two goals in a minute.

SCORES: Central District 5.4 11.6 13.12 17.16 (118) defeated West Adelaide 0.3 5.8 7.11 7.16 (58).

BEST: Central – O'Sullivan, Musolino, Slade, Sibenaler, L. Westhoff, Switala, Ware; West – Hollands, O'Sullivan, Dragicevic, Haynes, Bonaddio, Piasente.

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.