Central District looks to test premiership credentials against Norwood

CENTRAL District's premiership claims will be put to the test when it takes on Norwood at The Parade on Saturday.

Battling Bulldogs focus on Norwood

CENTRAL District's premiership claims will be put to the test when it takes on Norwood at The Parade on Saturday.

The Bulldogs made a significant statement when they conquered West Adelaide with a highly impressive performance at Elizabeth on the weekend.

The effort proved Central had the ammunition to challenge North Adelaide, Woodville-West Torrens and the Bloods - all headed to the finals.

But can they overcome the competition pacesetters?

"We have had consistent efforts against the better sides and we have a real ­belief in what we are capable of doing,'' Bulldogs coach Roy Laird said.

"We have not done it enough for anyone to consider us genuine and we have got to step up to the plate and play a competitive game against the standout team in the competition in Norwood.

"Are we genuine? We need confirmation and to see it week in, week out for four quarters and the ultimate challenge is this week.''

The Bulldogs and Bloods went toe-to-toe for the first half although the home side wasted plenty of opportunities to create scoreboard pressure with clumsy work going into the attacking 50m.

Dominant at the stoppages courtesy of ruckman Seb Guilhaus, Central used the ball far more efficiently in the third quarter.

The Bulldogs defence was also on top as the Bloods failed to score in the third term.

"I was encouraged again by how we looked aerobically,'' Laird said.

"Running wise we had some nice moments and guys got out into open space.

"We've got great respect for West Adelaide - they have stitched us up a bit over the past couple of years and to restrict them to 10 scoring shots is a good effort.

"I thought defensively we did really well.''

Key forward Alan Obst is an option to come back into the side after two games in the reserves following a lengthy stint on the sidelines because of suspension and injury.

Kyle Jenner was a late withdrawal from the game against the Bloods on Saturday, but Laird said he would be available to front the Redlegs.

It was a highly successful weekend for the Bulldogs.

The reserves won and the under-18 side had only its second victory for the season with a 35-point win over the Bloods.