Round 7 Hostplus SANFL Snapshot – Friday Night

By ZAC MILBANK

Central District managed to shrug off a persistent Norwood to claim a thrilling 11-point win to kick-start First Nations Round at The Parade.

Overcoming a scoreless first quarter, the Bulldogs continue to display their ability to score quickly at critical junctures as evidenced by last year’s memorable Qualifying Final win against Sturt.

This time, Paul Thomas’ charges saved their best to the final term again after surviving a brave Redlegs’ onslaught – which yielded four of the first five majors in the third quarter.

After edging ahead by a goal by the final change, the Dogs – chasing their first win at Woods Street from their last five outings – had their advantage erased when Norwood’s Jackson Callow converted his low mark in the opening minute.

Mercurial Bulldogs forward Aiden Grace – who only managed one disposal in the opening half – then bobbed up with consecutive majors, the first a dribbled snap from a pocket before finishing off a high chest mark with a 2om set shot.

And by the time captain Kyle Presbury took a bounce and coolly slotted a goal on the run from 45m, the visitors looked set for victory with a 17-point buffer in the 13th minute.

But Jade Sheedy’s outfit, desperate for its second win of the season, refused to wilt as Tristan Binder nailed a classy checkside goal on the run before he then handballed to teammate Izaak Twelftree, who snapped on his favoured left foot to cut the margin to just five points in the 26th minute.

Despite the hosts having all the momentum, the Dogs dug deep as evidenced by the vital knock on by skipper Presbury in the middle of the ground which allowed teammates Grace and Beau Thomas to surge the ball forward into the arms of Nick Lange.

Lange marked on his chest on a 45C angle to soak up precious seconds, slotting his set shot as the final siren sounded on a memorable sixth victory of the Bulldogs’ campaign.

Central’s Harry Grant led the way for his side on the stats sheet with 22 disposals and seven clearances while Wilson Barry, Leyton Chisholm and Mani Liddy each had 16.

Bulldog Dayne Posthuma was solid in defence with 16 possessions while Lange kicked three goals to lead Grace, Presbury and Jack Tomkinson with two each.

Norwood – which finished with captain Jacob Kennerley icing his calf – was led by Nik Rokahr with a match-high 32 disposals and six clearances while Cooper Murley had 22 touches.

Finn Heard had a monster game in the ruck with 19 disposals, nine clearances, 12 tackles and 38 hit outs while Baynen Lowe will better for the run after notching 19 disposals in his first game for the year after shoulder surgery.

Callow booted four goals for the Legs while Binder and Twelftree contributed two each.