Australian Football

Match Report

We're off to the Playford Alive Oval in Elizabeth for the ABC television match between the Bulldogs and the Bloods. The reigning premiers were welcomed to Season 2011 by the Bloods in humiliating fashion, the Bulldogs downed by 11 goals at Richmond in Round 2. The Dogs injury list grew a bit last week after losing a vital forward, then two more withdrew for this match with niggling injuries themselves.

The Bloods matched it with the Dogs early on, the scores at quarter-time were tied at 4.2 a piece. But as has been their habit in 2011, the Dogs found a way to kick ahead. Whilst restricting the Bloods to a miserable three behinds, Centrals kicked 5.2 to take a half-time lead of 29 points. Even without their long serving heavyweights, the newer front-line players and the young brigade really stepped up. West had more shots on the board in the third quarter, but from the nine scores only four were majors. The Dogs kicked 4.1 as their lead was cut down to 19 points going into the final term. But the home side wasn't about to let this one slip away as West continued to find the wrong sticks, Central kicking five goals to West's 3.5 to take a 26-point win.

Jack Gunston was named best for Centrals, while the Bloods voted Shane Birss as their best afield.