Australian Football

Match Report

With Adelaide Oval unavailable because of the turf being refitted the Grand Final replay was shifted to Thebarton Oval, where Centrals were out for some Eagle blood. 

Inaccuracy dogged Centrals early on, seven of 10 scoring shots missing their mark. The Eagles didn't fare too much better and were seven points down at quarter time. The goals were easier to find in the second term and the Dogs ran rampant from here onwards. They added a further 5.2 to the Eagles 3.0 to be up by 21 points at the long break. The punishment would continue when play resumed as the Dogs smashed home 7.1 to the Eagles 3.0 in the third quarter. Ian Callinan and the Gowans brothers were a lethal combination all day, embarrassing the Eagles in the midfield and up back. Callinan and Luke Cowan also did some damage on the scoreboard, the final quarter bringing more rewards at goal for Centrals. A 7.3 last term effort sent the Eagles reeling, the Bulldogs sending a clear message to the rest of the league as they ran out 82 point winners. 

Chris Gowans was named best for Centrals and also collected the Bob Quinn Medal that brother James collected a few years ago. Mark Passador was the Eagles true shining light.