Print this pageCentral District general manager Kris Grant must have a patent on the second semi-final. The Bulldogs, the modern power of the SANFL with six premierships in the past eight years, have contested every grand final since 2000.
And in that period they have yet to play in the season's penultimate round. Today, for the ninth successive year, the Bulldogs earned direct passage to the flag decider from the second semi-final with a convincing 30-point victory over minor premier Glenelg at Adelaide Oval.
It is a phenomenal effort and gives the club a chance to equal Port Adelaide's record of seven titles in a decade.
September - and the first weekend of October - just brings out the very best in the mob from Elizabeth.
Today was typical Bulldogs in a major-round battle - fierce at the contest, committed and relentless as a team unit.
"The players sense we have had a pretty ordinary year and they are enjoying starting to play some good competitive, strong footy," Bulldogs coach Roy Laird said.
"Our skill level was a lot better than last week (qualifying win over Sturt), our discipline in defensive work was good and our conversion rate was really good."
The Bulldogs were unfazed by the occasion. Maybe that was Glenelg's problem. The Tigers tasted some finals experience last season but they are still relatively new to this caper - just how to handle the added pressure.
There is a long-time theory in sport - don't alter what has been working so well.
Two hours before the opening bounce the Tigers huddled as a tight group in the middle of Adelaide Oval. Already the adrenalin would have been pumping.
The Tigers refused to release team changes to The Advertiser 40 minutes before the game as is usual practice during the season. The players were sitting as a group listening intently in a changeroom exploding with tension.
Next door some Bulldogs were joking with favourite son John Platten, a former champion servant of the club and Hawthorn. Players went about their business as they would on a Saturday in June.
And that is how the game opened. The Bulldogs were composed, switched on and desperately hunting in packs.
In contrast, the Tigers appeared nervous as they slipped 19 points down midway through the opening quarter.
The Tigers did well to cut the lead to one point late in the term and then hit the front late in the second. Ruckman Trevor Cranston was tireless, Todd Grima stood up in attack, Ruory Kirkby mopped up plenty of ball across half back and Sam Rudoplh sparked run from defence.
But those opening minutes had proved to the Bulldogs what could be achieved when their bared their teeth and they smashed the game apart in the third quarter, bagging six goals and conceding just one.
Trent Goodrem nailed two superb goals from deep in a pocket and when Ian Callinan kicked truly from a similar position just minutes later the Bulldogs, constantly getting numbers around the ball, were on fire.
The Tigers' cause was not helped late in the third term when Rudolph was stretchered from the field with his neck in a brace after a crunching tackle from five-goal Bulldogs star Daniel Schell.
While Jason Mackenzie, Paul Thomas, Ryan Williams and Chris and James Gowans continued to have a heavy influence, Glenelg became hesitant and indecisive.
"The third quarter told the game," Glenelg coach Mark Mickan said. "They got on top at the stoppages, our accountability dropped off and they moved the ball to too many uncontested players too easily.
"That has been an emphasis this year - playing every minute of the game. We have got to look at that."
CENTRAL DISTRICT 4.3 7.5 13.6 16.9 (105)
GLENELG 3.1 6.5 7.7 11.9 (75)
Goals:
Central: Schell 5, Callinan 3, O'Sullivan 2, O'Hara, Goodrem, C. Gowans 1, J. Gowans
Glenelg: Panozzo 3, Grima 2, lally, McConnell 1, Bode, Backwell, Duldig
Best:
Central: Williams, Mackenzie, Thomas, Schell, C. Gowans, J. Gowans, O'Sullivan, Slade.
Glenelg: Cranston, Grima, Rudolph, Fisher.
Injuries:
Glenelg: Sherwood (thigh) withdrew from selected side, Rudolph (concussion), McConnell (hamstring).
Umpires:
Pfeiffer, Woodcock, Medlin.
Crowd:
22 568
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