Central District thrashes North Adelaide by 61 points in SANFL season-opener at Elizabeth Oval

CENTRAL District has thrashed North Adelaide by 61 points in its SANFL season-opener at Elizabeth Oval to build the foundation for a strong start to 2018.

Dogs player Isaya McKenzie celebrates a goal in the drubbing of North Adelaide. Picture: Tom Huntley

CENTRAL District lost six of its first seven matches last year, before storming home to earn a finals berth.

The Bulldogs laid the foundations for a stronger start to 2018 by recording a resounding 61-point win over North Adelaide in their SANFL season-opener at Elizabeth Oval on Friday.

A six-goal-to-one third term blew the contest open for the hosts, after a combination of sloppy turnovers and poor goalkicking had kept the Roosters in touch in the first half.

Roy Laird’s men laid down a marker for the campaign ahead with a further five final quarter majors as their superior run and ball movement blew North away after the main break.

Midfielders Travis Schiller (30 disposals, one goal), Justin Hoskin (28, three), Kyle Presbury (22, two) shone to get Central off to a flyer.

Central's John Butcher wrestles with North Adelaide opponents during the Good Friday season-opener at Elizabeth Oval. Picture: Tom Huntley

Big man Darcy Fort (three majors), debutant Jackson Hately (22 possessions) and youngster Isaya McKenzie (three goals) also impressed for the hosts in the 17.14 (116) to 8.7 (55) win.

Central took a 15-point lead to the first break following a scrappy opening term.

Jack Hannath got the Dogs’ first major of the season inside the second minute, before captain Trent Goodrem found Justin Hoskin inside 50 who finished well from an angle.

Mitch Harvey, one of the Roosters’ best, got the first of his third, before Presbury snapped truly.

Dakota Nixon responded for North with an accurate kick for his first league goal after Matthew Appleton had crunched McKenzie.

The promising McKenzie bounced back by kicking the Bulldogs’ fourth, but wasted opportunities by Kyle Jenner, Sam Milne and Connor McLean kept North in touch.

The theme continued in the second term, as Central edged out to a three-goal halftime buffer.

Harvey notched his second to pull the Roosters back to within two straight kicks, before Presbury took control.

North Adelaide recruit Aidan Tropiano fires out a handpass. Picture: Tom Huntley

First the 21-year-old talent produced a beautiful kick from 50m for the Dogs’ first of the quarter, then he brilliantly fed Darcy Fort with a spearing delivery for the ruckman to convert.

Thomas Schwarz pegged one back for North, before more wastefulness from Darcy Fort and David Haydon helped preserved the visitor’s hopes.

Central raced to a matchwinning 48-point advantage in the third quarter.

Three goals in three minutes to brothers Darcy Fort (two) and Fraser Fort early in the term gave the Dogs the ascendancy after recruit Robbie Young kicked his first major for North.

A series of slick handballs ended with Travis Schiller snapping home and Hately, excellent throughout, finished cleverly on his league debut for Central.

McKenzie ran into an open goal for his second to all but finish the contest heading into the last change.

The gallant Harvey goaled again with an accurate kick from the boundary early in the final term and Keenan Ramsey converted from 20m for North, for which Max Thring was good (24 disposals).

But two goals to Hoskin, as well as singles to McKenzie, Cooper Dahms on debut and skipper Trent Goodrem iced the handsome victory.