A recent survey showed that 9 out of 10 Unley children rate Sturt's 2002 grand final win as the biggest fluke in SANFL history!

THE DAY AFTER

I was saddened by the grand final loss to say the least. I could hardly sleep on Sunday night because my stomache was churned with butterflies of disappointment. Memories of '95 & '96. But Sturt did play the better footy on the day and deserved to win. They showed true determination and I sincerely congratulate them. I think Centrals fans are unanimous on that point.

What's important to remember is that the foundations of the Central District Football Club are the strongest in the league. We can't expect to win them all but we'll be forever knocking on that door, unlike most clubs which only enjoy brief periods of success if any at all.

And once again, well done to Centrals reserves on taking out the 2002 flag. What a demolition job on Port! It's not quite payback for '95 '96 but it's a start.

CENTRALS FLOG PORT IN GRAND FINAL
6/10/2002 - Centrals 21.12(138) def. Port 5.6(36)

Centrals took out the 2002 reserves flag after flogging Port by 102 points. In other news: Centrals lost the league GF to some struggling suburban club. For more details, go buy a newspaper.

RALLY THE RED ARMY!
As expected, Norwood didn't get a crack at Centrals in the finals. I want to taste Sturt tears at AAMI Stadium on 6/10/2002 as Centrals makes it 3 flags in a row. RED will be the dominant colour around the ground. The northern end will be packed with Centrals supporters singing and chanting non-stop!

Here's MY ticket. Got yours? Make sure you get your tickets NOW from BASS.

DOGS MAKE IT 3 GRAND FINALS IN A ROW!
Second Semi Final
22/9/2002 - Centrals 9.14(68) def. Sturt 8.6(54)

It was another case of missed opportunities that made the 14 point win over Sturt look a lot closer than it was. Centrals dominated play for over 3 quarters but were dodgy in front of goal. I had to put my camera away at one stage because I got bored with taking pictures of points being kicked. But the main thing is Centrals has not lost its dominance over Sturt, who we are most likely to play again in 2 weeks time.

Moment of the game for me: A strong, haunting chant of "CEEENTRAAALS" erupted behind the goal in the last quarter when things were tight. Within 15 seconds, one of the Gowans twins strolled into an open goal and then saluted the crowd! There is DEFINITELY something magical about that chant!

Watched the last half of the Eagles v Norwood 1st Semi: Both sides looked ordinary. Norwood were lucky to win: the siren blew on 26 minutes when the Eagles had possession within 50m of goal. Hmm, pretty short quarter I thought. I'm not one for conspiracy theories, but may I just say this: Hmm.

Gotta love the back page of Monday's Advertiser:
"Here's one SA team that made a grand final"
But it was Page 42 that made me laugh: Sturt coach Brenton Phillips said he wasn't sure if Centrals was playing Aussie rules or rugby:
"They (Bulldogs) play fairly attractive footy, don't they? ... It was real exciting stuff that today."
Now Phillips is either a complete baby or he has no idea about how finals footy is played. I would say both! No wonder Sturt has never beaten Centrals in a final - they're too busy trying to play 'attractive' football!

DOUBLE BLUES GET DOUBLED OVER
7/9/2002 - Centrals 13.8(86) def. Sturt 9.2(56)

In disposing of Sturt for the third time this year, the Dogs completed their most successful ever minor round with a record 18 wins. A handy psychological edge leading into the finals. We've now got a couple of weeks before we assemble the RED ARMY for the Second Semi Final.

Some stats: The 2 points kicked by Sturt is their lowest EVER point tally against Centrals. In fact, that's the equal lowest ever point tally kicked against Centrals by any team.

DOGS SECURE MINOR PREMIERSHIP
24/8/2002 - Centrals 14.5(89) def. West 11.11(77)

Centrals overcame a spirited West Adelaide by 12 points in one of the most hard-fought games I've seen this year. It certainly wasn't error-free footy (just ask James Gowans), but the intensity over four quarters from both sides was fantastic. Maybe that's because both sides were playing for something: West was out to prove its win over Norwood last week was no fluke, and Centrals was out to secure the Minor Premiership!

The game was preceded by a minute's silence paying respect to the two West Adelaide juniors who died tragically in a car accident. After the final siren, players from both sides joined as one group and left the field together.

The win guarantees Centrals the Minor Premiership and a week's break before the Second Semi Final on 22/9/2002 against either Sturt or Norwood.

Some stats: Central's score of 5 points is their lowest EVER point tally at Richmond Oval, beating the previous record of 7 points set last year. 2002 is now Central's most successful EVER minor round, and we've still got 1 minor round game to play! We are currently sitting on 17 minor round wins, beating the previous record of 16 set in 2001.

PORT PULVERISED IN ANOTHER RECORD GAME!
17/8/2002 - Centrals 19.6(120) def. Port 3.13(31)

For the second time this year, Centrals absolutely annihilated Port's unskilled, undisciplined pack of thugs masquerading as a football team.

Port could only manage 3 goals for the game - their lowest EVER goal tally against Centrals. However, the Magpies' pathetic 31 points was NOT "their record low score against the Dogs" as claimed by the Sunday Mail. Port managed a lower score of 4.6(30) back in 1996. So when you want the facts on Centrals, don't rely on statistically challenged newspapers - come to Bulldog Central. :)

Great to see Sibenaler return to the side with 5 goals - Some accuracy in front of goal was a welcome sight. Despite their quality, I reckon the likes of Walton and Schell will need to push hard to retain forward positions now that Yves is back.

More stats: The 89 point margin stands as Central's 3rd highest EVER winning margin against Port, behind the 92 point and 94 point thrashings in 2000 and 1998 respectively. Also, Centrals has now won 6 of the last 7 encounters, making this our most successful EVER era against Port.

TIGERS SHOW TICKER, BUT DOGS STEAL WIN!
10/8/2002 - Centrals 8.9(57) def. Glenelg 8.7(55)

In difficult conditions, Centrals came from 41 points behind to steal a 2 point win over a gutsy Glenelg. The game was scrappy due to a strong, blustery wind blowing to the southern end. The situation was made worse by umpires who refused to pay holding-the-ball and blatant deliberate-out-of-bounds decisions. I think the umpiring encouraged Glenelg players (primarily) to constantly punch/tap the ball out of play at the first opportunity because they knew they would get away with it. One cracker in front of the Central goal was where a Glenelg player tried to tap the ball out of bounds - his first tap wasn't strong enough so he tapped it forward again until it went out! The crowd went crazy, but the umpire simply called for a throw-in. Unbelievable. Anyway, just happy to come away with a win.
Some stats: The 2 point margin was Central's closest EVER game at Glenelg Oval. Going back to 1993, Centrals has won 22 of the last 24 games against Glenelg!

THE MANY FACES OF TIGER MISERY

POOR CONVERSION - THE STORY CONTINUES...
3/8/2002 - Centrals 11.19(85) def. South 9.8(62)

Centrals made hard work of an ordinary South Adelaide with another exhibition of poor kicking for goal. Our last four matches are our four lowest scores of the season. How is it that Centrals can look like they're slaughtering the opposition, but the scoreboard says they're behind? I'm sure the Doggies will get the radar working by the time the REAL football begins next month.

And as for Noarlunga, I'm still working on getting my core temperature back to normal. The last time I remember being THAT cold at a football match was back in 1981 as a lonely 11-year-old full forward standing in the hail for an hour.

POOR CONVERSION COSTS DOGS - AGAIN!
27/7/2002 - Centrals 11.10(76) Norwood 15.4(94)

After leading at each break and having more scoring shots, the Dogs went down to a determined Norwood side by 18 points. Centrals dominated in the first half and should have kicked away from Norwood, but poor kicking for goal and soft turnovers eventually took their toll. We were lucky against the Eagles the week before, but this time the luck ran out.

It's been a weird season so far. The top three sides are now equal on points and are unbeaten by the rest of the league. Between those three: Centrals haven't beaten Norwood, Sturt hasn't beaten Centrals and Norwood hasn't beaten Sturt! Centrals retains top spot on percentage and should go on to finish Minor Premiers. But given that Norwood can't beat Sturt, we may not get a chance to teach Norwood a lesson in the finals! May Norwood and Sturt enjoy their Preliminary Final. :)

LAIDLAW RETURNS
23/7/2002
Laidlaw's Match Report will be back at Bulldog Central for a month or so while Pete is off gallivanting overseas again.

EAGLES COME CLOSE BUT NO CIGAR
20/7/2002 - Centrals 11.5(71) def. Eagles 9.13(67)

Central's lowest score so far this season was still good enough to get the points. The last quarter saw an inspirational goal on the run from Steinberner and then a kick on the siren from Arnott to seal a thrilling 4 point win to the Dogs. The last time Centrals had such a close game at Woodville Oval was back in 1967 when we beat Woodville by 4 points! We've now won 5 games in a row against the Eagles. In fact, the Eagles have only won 1 game against the Dogs in their last 9 encounters.

IS THIS MAN A POKIE BARON?!

From The Advertiser on 13/7/2002: '...South Australian poker machine venues earning more than $2.5 million a year will pay 65 per cent [tax]... Central District Football Club chief executive Kris Grant said the club would be forced to reduce its commitment to community sports, including football and netball. The club would have to find an additional $100,000 to $150,000 a year on top of the $660,000 in tax it already paid the Government. "We are angry that this decision is going to affect a club that is putting its money back into the community and into football", he said.'

Sure, tax the arse out of the Pokie Barons, but don't tar non-profit community-based clubs with the same brush. Let your voice be heard using the State Government contact details below:

Premier Mike Rann
email: premier@saugov.sa.gov.au

Treasurer Kevin Foley
email: ptadelaide@parliament.sa.gov.au
phone: 08 8341 5200

Minister Lea Stevens (holds seat of Elizabeth)
email: elizabeth@parliament.sa.gov.au
phone: 08 8255 3030

DOGS SMASH STURT AND SET ANOTHER RECORD!
13/7/2002 - Centrals 12.8(80) def. Sturt 4.6(30)

The Doggies controlled the game from start to finish, despite missing key players Matty Slade and Rick MacGowan. The result re-wrote the record books too: 30 points is Sturt's LOWEST EVER score against Centrals at Unley Oval. It also equals the lowest ever score kicked by any team against Centrals: Port, South (this year too) and Sturt (twice) have all kicked only 30 points against Centrals. I don't think Sturt supporters can whinge about their injury list this time: They were clearly beaten in all positions by a much better side.

THUGPIES LOSE THE GAME AND THE PLOT
28/6/2002 - Centrals 18.17(125) def. Port 9.6(60)

The Dogs put on a more disciplined performance to absolutely spank the worst Magpies team in history. It was poor kicking by Centrals that meant the winning margin was only 65 points instead of 165!

THE COCKS FROM PROSPECT BLOW IT AGAIN
22/6/2002 - Centrals 19.17(131) def. North 13.5(83)

After leading most of the day, North literally jammed the hand break on and sat back while their 5 goal lead turned into a 48 point slaughter at the hands of CENTRALS. The win extends Central's winning streak against North to 13 games. Also, North have not won at Elizabeth for over 10 years!

15/6/2002 - Due to the constant unreliability of this site caused by the cheap-ass web hosting service hostonce.com.au, a few changes have been made:
* There will be less material available for download, but the speed and reliability of the site will be greatly improved. Anything I don't have room for on the site can still be obtained via e-mail request.
* The domain name centrals.info may not work for a while. If you have any troubles, try accessing the site via centrals.cjb.net.
* BC Membership has been canned (at least for the time being). All material that was previously reserved for members only will now be made available to all.

GLENELG GETS FLOORED

10/6/2002 - Centrals 24.10(154) def. Glenelg 10.8(68).

Just another "How Ya Goin" win to the mighty Centrals. Let's just forfeit the rest of the minor round and bring on the finals!!

SECOND HALF SLAUGHTER WITHERS WEST
1/6/2002 - Centrals 26.7(163) def. West 15.9(99)

As with the NAP Oval match at the start of the year, West managed to keep pace with the Doggies for half a game. But after half-time the Dogs turned an 8 point deficit into a 64 point drubbing with 17 2nd half goals to West's 5.

RECORD WIN AGAINST SOUTH
25/5/2002 - Centrals 36.9(225) def. South 4.6(30)

The boys were keen to make a point after last week's hiccup at the cow paddock. I expected South to get flogged but I didn't realise we'd be breaking records!
HIGHEST SCORE: 225 points is Central's highest score in 14 years. It's the 3rd highest EVER score kicked by Centrals behind the 35.23(233) against West Torrens and the 35.18(228) against South - both in 1988.
NUMBER OF GOALS KICKED: Centrals kicked its highest EVER number of goals in a match - We've never before kicked 36 goals!
WINNING MARGIN: The 195 point winning margin is our highest EVER winning margin against South and our 2nd highest EVER winning margin overall, beaten only by the 198 points we beat West Torrens by in 1988.
OPPOSITION SCORE: South's 30 points is the equal lowest EVER score kicked against Centrals. It's also the outright lowest EVER score kicked against Centrals at Elizabeth Oval!

HICCUP AT THE COW PADDOCK
17/5/2002

Centrals suffered a 13 point loss to the deadlegs on the cow paddock. No Scoullar, Arnold or Cowan in ruck - What the?? I guess the result shouldn't be so surprising, we lost on Norwood's dodgy oval last year by 22 points. To beat Centrals by only 13 points, on their home ground, and when Norwood's midfield had first use of the ball all night due to our rucking problem, should be of great concern to Norwood. But we were guilty of some poor kicking for goal too. I counted at least 4 easy shots on goal we missed. Take comfort doggies fans: Come finals time, there aint no ruckmanless night footy on cow paddocks!

12/5/2002 - As you can see above, a poll has been added to the site. I hope to add regular polls in the future. Previous polls will be archived on the Poll Archive page. Laidlaw holidays at Bulldog Central

10/5/2002 - Whilst the CDFC Webmaster is frolicking about on holiday for the next 2 weeks, the BC Webmaster will be posting the world famous Laidlaw's Match Report right here @ BULLDOG CENTRAL. Just click on Laidlaw's head to see if there's anything in it.

4/5/2002

Centrals accounted for Sturt in an impressive show at NAP Oval.

LEST WE FORGET THE EAGLES!
25/4/2002

Centrals belts the living c#%p out of the Eagles @ Adelaide Oval on ANZAC Day.

24/4/2002 - After a direct request from CDFC Management, BULLDOG CENTRAL has agreed to make BC Membership available to all, rather than just paid-up CDFC members.

19/4/2002

Centrals belts the living c#%p out of Port @ Adelaide Oval. The only downside to the game was how we blew a 65 point lead in the last 15 minutes of the game to only win by 37 points. With 15 minutes to go, Port was 3:7(25), 10 points short of their lowest EVER score against Centrals. So to see Port then kick the last 4 goals of the game was a bit disappointing. And off-field the Magpies $2 campaign was made fun of to the extreme!

SAVE THE MAGPIES!
18/4/2002 - Yes, the "$2 guy" from Cunningham's Warehouse has joined Bulldog Central's "Save The Magpies" campaign. Show your support for the team we love to hate by coming to Friday night's game against the Magpies. And why not risk getting beaten up by a wharfie by wearing a white t-shirt with "$2" spraypainted on the front! This could be your last chance to see Centrals play the Maggies before they fold, so don't miss out!

17/4/2002 - Checkout the new SANFL League Ladders page in the Stats & Facts section. It lists the positions finished by all SANFL teams since Centrals joined the League in 1964.

12/4/2002

Centrals belts the living c#%p out of Glenelg @ Adelaide Oval.

30/3/2002

Centrals belts the living c#%p out of North @ Prospect.

CLUB-APPROVED FLARES AT NAP!
23/3/2002

The 2001 Premiership Flag, accompanied by orange flares, landed at NAP Oval Elizabeth via parachute. The Flag was then unfurled and displayed to the delighted crowd by players Paul Geister and Simon Arnott. Anonymous hooligan: "It woz great, 'bout time the club organised some flares for us." Plenty of flare was shown during the game too! Despite Geister and Arnott not playing, Centrals went on to annihilate West Adelaide by 94 points in an awesome display of toughness, stamina and silky skills.

11/3/2002 - Been busy preparing some new stuff for the site, but in the meantime check out the eye candy section for a couple of additions from the trial game on 2/3/2002:

and Groundswell Day on 10/3/2002:

16/2/2002 - www.centrals.info is the new web address for BULLDOG CENTRAL, replacing the old address www.bulldogcentral.net which will become inactive in May 2002.

Why the change?

Well back in 2001, the intention was to register "centrals" as a domain name. Unfortunately, the .net, .org and .com options were all taken! So bulldogcentral.net was registered as an alternative. But now that .info names have become available, BULLDOG CENTRAL has been able to register the name that was originally intended. So change your bookmarks to www.centrals.info!

9/2/2002 - The Centrals and Crows squads met at Norwood Oval for a hit-out on Friday night (8/2/2002). It was good to see so many Centrals players, both league and reserves, getting a shot at the Crows. Despite losing by 39 points, the doggies largely held their own for the last 3 quarters as the Crows lead had been established in the first quarter. The experience of playing at a 'slightly' higher level should benefit the entire Centrals squad for the season ahead.

22/1/2002 - It's taken a while, but I've finally finished adding a few bells and whistles to the site. There's less links down the lefthand menu, but if you click on a link you'll usually be presented with a sub-menu. There's also a drop-down menu at the top of the page which allows you to jump to any page directly. A fixtures page for 2002 has been added which can be accessed from the Results & Stats link. I've added an animation picture (top right) which I knocked up using a few car bumper stickers you may recognise! The BC logo (top left) animates when you move the mouse over it, and when clicked it will return you to the home page. A few things have changed behind the scenes too such as the use of 'templates' and 'frames' to help me with site maintenance. Check out the all-new Photo/Movie Downloads section aptly renamed 'Eye Candy'. And I'm sure you'll enjoy the new 'Flags & Spoons' page. There's probably some other new stuff, but I'll be buggered if I'm going to go check. So go have a browse around the 2002 BULLDOG CENTRAL site.