Australian Football

Match Report

Next up in the wrap for game number three we head up north to the X-Convenience Oval in Elizabeth for the SANFL's northern derby between the Bulldogs and the Roosters. The Bulldogs opened their match against North in Round 3 with a bang, but ended with a fizzle. After kicking to a 20-point lead at quarter-time, the Dogs had the rug pulled from under them as the Roosters kicked 15 goals to five for the rest of the game to win by 43 points at Prospect. It was a fast return to earth given the Bulldogs efforts in the previous week. The Bulldogs finally notched up their second victory for the season last week, upsetting the reigning premiers at Woodville by 35 points, while the Roosters had a week off after a two-point loss to the Panthers at Noarlunga. Unfortunately for the Bulldogs faithful, much like the Roosters brought about the earlier season's reality check, they were about to do it again. The Roosters hit the ground running, kicking six goals in 12 minutes. By the quarter-time siren, they were 37 points ahead with the board reading 8.2 to the Dogs' 2.1. Amazingly the Roosters were quietened in the second term, Centrals chopping their lead back to a more manageable 21 points after scoring 3.1 to three behinds. The Bulldogs practically wasted that second quarter, with the bulk of the attack they were largely unable to penetrate the North defence. The Roosters were back at their best in front of the sticks when play resumed and never looked back from here. The Dogs did show shades of their form that saw them victorious over at the Eagles' nest last week, but the top of the table Roosters had a point to prove. At one point the Roosters took their lead to as much as 47 points moments into added time after adding 5.3 to 1.1, but a pair of late goals to the home side drew that down to 35 by three quarter-time. The Roosters grew their lead again to as much as 53 points mid-way through the final term, but would leave with a 38-point win in the end with a last quarter scoreline of 5.1 to 4.4. Aaron Young was the complete all-rounder for North, with 35 disposals, 12 clearances, five tackles and five goals. Travis Schiller was the standout for Centrals, with 28 disposals, six clearances and five tackles.