Game #977, Round 17, 26/7/2008, Unley Oval
Centrals 12.9(81) def. by Sturt 14.10(94)

A great game by the Dogs which should prove to even the worst doomsayers among us that the we are still Premiership material.

If not for a couple of comical, unforced defensive errors by Hayes and O'Hara, we could have won that game with only 19 fit men! Yes, James Gowans and Havelberg went off injured and did not play in the second half. Not to mention the unforced blunders up forward by Lawry and Williams which should have been 2 easy goals. We missed a few easy shots on goal too, but so did Sturt.

Chambers is an issue though. Part of his game plan involves fooling the umpires - which he did quite well a few times today. Take away the bullshit free kicks in front of goal and Sturt would have struggled. Sturt fans got their bloomers in a knot when we compared Chambers with an Italian soccer player. People moan about this form of cheating in soccer, but don't seem to mind if it occurs in Aussie Rules - and goes unpunished!

Great effort Dogs. It's not often I leave the ground after a loss with a smile on my face. The way the Sturt fans around me were wriggling in their seats as the Dogs came at them in the last quarter was priceless. We're far from being at our best, but I can't see that Sturt side bothering us in the finals - assuming we continue to regain form!