Australian Football

Match Report

In the final match for Round 2, it was the northern derby between the Roosters and the Bulldogs, marking former Centrals premiership great Daniel Healy's first match as coach of North Adelaide. In last year's grand final, the Bulldogs were called "too old and too slow" and we all know what happened then. Well, this time the label was "stray dogs". 

The Roosters came out fighting early and the rusty form the Bulldogs had last week was forgotten as they drew the first quarter at 4.2 a piece. The Bulldogs blasted away to a 26 point lead at half-time after kicking 7.6 to 3.4 in the second quarter. The Roosters would find their way back into the contest in the third quarter where many sloppy plays by the Dogs would see the ball into the hands of Roosters players running in packs and finding forwards with strong hands. The Roosters closed the gap to 13 points after kicking 5.4 to Central's 3.3. But the Bulldogs, true to form, refused to panic and put immense pressure on the Roosters with their sudden elevation of intensity. Chants of "free beer" could be heard from the Bulldog faithful as the visitors booted 5.4 to 3.1, seeing Centrals win by 28 points. 

The Dogs voted in skipper Paul Thomas as their best, while the Roosters named Matthew Wright as their best.