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Central District's last-gasp win over Norwood on Saturday proved the Dogs are not done yet . . . but they are not anywhere near their unbeatable best. They shocked the Legs, taking the lead for the first time with less than two minutes to play and holding on to win by two points.
The Dogs firmed up third spot and Norwood crumbled after being so smooth and composed for three quarters.
It coughed up a 36-point lead from four minutes into the last term after Matt Bartemucci kicked its final goal for the day - although Adam Cockshell, Tim Weatherald and David Trotter had prime opportunities to goal inside the last minute to pinch back the points.
Central slammed on six unanswered goals in that period on pure heart. Given Jack Oatey Medallists Chris Gowans (knee) and Nathan Steinberner (shoulder) made comebacks in the reserves, Danny Schell (groin) and Scott Dutschke (ribs) are not far off and Charles Slattery (knee) might play in two weeks, the Dogs can improve. But it won't just happen.
Facing Sturt next, with skipper Paul Thomas (high contact) on report, coach Roy Laird will soon know if Saturday's win was a flash in the pan in an inconsistent season.
"There's more talented sides around than us and we have to be really good in those one percenters," he said. "We have been ordinary against both top teams (Sturt and Glenelg) and we need to play better than we did (on Saturday) to be better against them. Don't worry, we're not dreaming. We know what we've got to do."
Courtesy of The Advertiser
Story by Doug Robertson