Central District’s Justin Hoskin named SANFL Player of the Week after win over West Adelaide

Central District midfielder Justin Hoskin has been an outstanding servant for the Bulldogs since crossing from Port Adelaide. And a decision to let him loose against West has resulted in him winning The Advertiser/SANFL Player of the Week.

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Central District coach Roy Laird describes Justin Hoskin as a real competitor who loves a contest.

He notes the onballer fits into the white line fever category, but has multiple talents and is a good decision maker, is smart around the ball and can be a dangerous forward.

So it is no surprise when Laird comments on Hoskin being an important ingredient for the Bulldogs.

That was again evident on Saturday when Hoskin had a key role in the Bulldogs overcoming West Adelaide at Elizabeth Oval for their first win of the season.

Justin Hoskin was outstanding for the Bulldogs in the club’s victory over West Adelaide on Saturday. Picture: Brenton Edwards/AAP

The onballer had a game-high 35 possessions, kicked two goals and finished with seven tackles in a performance which earned him the honour of The Advertiser/SANFL Player of the Week.

“It was good to get the win on the board, a good relief,” Hoskin said. “We kicked so many points to start with so it was good to finish off well.

“The past two weeks I’ve found some form. In round one, I was quiet against South Adelaide, I could not find my game at Noarlunga. But in the second half against Norwood I started to find my feet.”

Hoskin said the side had taken a lot of positives out of the three-point loss to the Redlegs when Murray Stephenson had a chance to win the game for the Bulldogs, only to have his shot at goal with the final kick of the game miss to the left of the goal post.

“We took a lot of confidence out of the game in how we can play,” Hoskin said. “We know we can move the ball well and score quickly.”

Sharing his time between the midfield and forward line, Hoskin said he still loved playing with the Bulldogs after joining the club from Port Adelaide in 2014.

He said the playing group was a good bunch of blokes, but they were still getting to understand each other on the ground.

“Not many of the guys played with Troy (Menzel) when he was here before and there are the Neagle brothers (Jydon, Jaxon and Matthew),” he said. “So we are getting used to each other.”