Australian Football

Match Report

The Bulldogs headed to The Parade to face the Redlegs at Coopers Stadium. The Redlegs were high on confidence coming into this one, after beating the Roosters into submission and the Dogs just escaped against Port the previous weekend. But the Dogs claimed victory in their last match of 2008, not to mention the beltings inflicted in 2007. 

Norwood started off best, taking an 18-point lead at quarter time after kicking 3.7 to Central's lowly 1.1. The goals came easier in the second term, the bulk of them in favour of the 'Legs. They added a further 6.2 to the Bulldogs' 4.1 to take a 31 point lead going into the long break. The third term was less plentiful in the goals department, both sides only managing two goals a piece. One mere behind to Centrals made the difference in the margin, back to 30 points at three quarter-time. Four minutes into the final quarter, the Redlegs kicked a goal... their last one. With a 36 point margin to reel back, the Dogs suddenly found their top gear and put the foot down. With 24 more disposals, those players who hadn't done much all day then became unbelievably rabid and hungry. They blasted home 6.3 to the home side's 1.1, which included an Ian Callinan game-snatching special in the dying minutes to steal a two-point win. 

Callinan was named best afield for the Dogs, while David Trotter was named best for Norwood.