Dogs into sixth straight Grand Final

Central District   84  defeated  Port Adelaide   39

In a semi final which failed to reach any great heights, Central District has progressed to their sixth consecutive SANFL Grand Final following a 45-point victory over Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium this afternoon.

A six-goal to two first half set up the Bulldogs momentum, before they added a further six goals to three in the second half to record a 12.12 (84) to 5.9 (39) victory.

While Central earn a week's break before the Grand Final, the Magpies have set up a preliminary final encounter with the Eagles, with the winner progressing to battle the Dogs for the Thomas Seymour Hill Cup.

In a true team performance, Centrals were still able to kick a winning score without Ken Farmer Medalist Daniel Schell having an influential impact - kicking only one goal.

The Dogs tackling, pressure on the ball carrier and accountability kept them a step ahead of their opponents all day, with Matthew Slade heading the midfield brigade with 28 possessions and four marks.

Former Power player Nathan Steinberner collected only 13 possessions, but provided a physical toughness in the contested situations, including two first-quarter goals.

Marco Bello continued his potent season with over 15 disposals and a game-high three goals, while the Gowans brothers proved to be a difficult task to contain for the Magpies.

Brett Ebert was a shining light for the Magpies on a bleak day, in which they kicked their lowest score for the season. The Power player collected a team-high 25 disposals, however, was let down by the rest of his midfield, with considerably poor delivery to Clive Waterhouse, who failed to kick a goal.

Centrals were wasteful going forward early, with only Steinberner converting accurately from their first seven forward 50 entries. Cameron Ilett responded for the Magpies and kicked their first for the afternoon.

The Dogs were playing the game on their terms, but they failed to put on enough scoreboard pressure. Arnott booted their second, but that was promptly replied when Ebert snagged Port's second.

As Centrals dominated possessions, inside 50s and clearances, they could only muster a 15-point lead at quarter time.

Only 20 seconds had transpired in the second term when Centrals reaped the rewards of a fast centre break when Matthew Slade converted on the run from 40 metres out.

The stanza had turned into a tedious arm-wrestle, with both sides unable to break away and establish any pressure on the scoreboard.

Bello slotted his second goal nearing half time, as a rather droning quarter - which only saw three scores - concluded with the Dogs leading by 28 points at the half. The highlight being a minor brawl after the siren.

Signs were positive for the Magpies early in the third quarter with early attacking plays, however, after two behinds, Chris Gowans rubbed their noses in it when he marked strongly at the head of the goal-square and extended Centrals' lead with his first for the day.

It was becoming a procession as Luke McCabe, then Daniel Schell, added themselves to the goal-card, extending the lead out to 45 points.

Julian Wait broke Port's 70-minute drought without a goal when he snapped around his body from 15, but as the story of the day has been, Dogs' captain Daniel Healy responded immediately from the centre when he slotted a goal from 60 out.

A late goal to Jenner saw the Magpies narrowly reduce the deficit to 44 points at three quarter time.

After Bulldog Kane Officer was taken off the ground on the stretcher with bad concussion, all sting in the game had disappeared, with James Meiklejohn the only goal-kicker in 23 minutes of play.

Bello became the highest goal-kicker on the ground when he marked and booted his third, as the Dogs finished the final term with only a goal, but still outscored the Magpies by a point.

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