Australian Football

Match Report

With the redevelopment of the Adelaide Oval put off for the time being, SANFL football would be able to take to the historic ground for its traditional Grand Final re-match -- for 2008 it would be the Bulldogs and the Roosters in the West End Battle. 

The reigning premiers would start off best if not a bit inaccurate on goal, kicking 3.6 to North's 1.4 to be up by 14 points at quarter-time. That gap would be extended to 20 points by the half time break, a highlight for the Dogs fans in this quarter was what looked almost like a WWE-style spinebuster on a Rooster opponent! The third quarter saw the umpires lose some of their consistency, a rash of 25 metre penalties plus more holding the ball and high tackle charges which weren't paid during the other periods of the game. The Roosters were able to draw the margin back to two points at this stage, their goals coming from those said penalties. But the Dogs didn't let them get any closer.They kicked three goals to the Roosters' 1.1 to run out 19-point winners, but the Dogs need to work harder if they plan to be the same threatening team they have been for the last nine seasons. 

Paul Thomas was named best afield for Centrals and collected the Bob Quinn Medal, while North named Rory O'Brien as their standout performer.