Australian Football

Match Report

Saturday evening at the Hamra Homes Oval in Elizabeth, the Bulldogs were unfurling their sixth SANFL premiership flag in eight years, but then had to contend with a flock of Magpies. 

The Doggies, picking up from where they left off, kicked five goals to Port's 1.3 to begin proceedings with three of those goals scored during the time-on period. Not a lot of scoring in the second quarter, both sides just managing 2.2 each and thus keeping the margin at 21 points going into the half time break. Inaccurate kicking was Port's biggest enemy for this night, but still outscored the Dogs in the goals department in the third quarter. They kicked 5.2 to four goals to cut the lead back to 13 points at the final change. The Bulldogs finally silenced the Magpies in the final term with a 3.2 to 2.1 effort which included an Ian Callinan goal to which a streaker made his way across the ground to the cheers of the locals. The Dogs held on for a 20 point win in front of almost 6,000 fans. 

Matt Slade named best for Centrals while Steve Summerton was voted best for Port Adelaide.