Bulldogs regain Trent Goodrem and Kyle Jenner for Crows battle

CENTRAL District coach Roy Laird has challenged his players to be more aggressive in their thinking when they take on Adelaide at Elizabeth on Saturday.

9/12/2013. Roy Laird, Central Districts football club coach. The story is about Centrals being sponsored by Holden and what will happen to them when Holden finally closes and they lose their sponsorship. Picture: Sam Wundke.

CENTRAL District coach Roy Laird has challenged his players to be more aggressive in their thinking when they take on Adelaide at Elizabeth on Saturday.

Laird wants his players to be more proactive and repeat the mental strength they showed after quarter-time against Port Adelaide at Alberton last weekend.

The Bulldogs lost defender Ben Cummings in the first quarter with a season-ending knee injury and pacy Luke Habel was significantly restricted after hurting his calf.

Key defender Murray Stephenson then damaged his ankle in the second quarter.

Habel stayed in the game and was used deep in attack while Stephenson returned to the fray but was hampered by his injury. All three players have been ruled out of today’s game.

“The group was well aware of the situation at quarter-time,’’ Laird said.

“We were six goals down and short on personnel but they were brave and fought the game out well.

“We have got to be more aggressive with our thinking in what we are trying to do.’’

The Crows created history when they met the Bulldogs at Elizabeth in round three, claiming their first win after opening the season with two losses.

They then lost their next four matches before highly impressive victories over South Adelaide and Woodville-West Torrens.

Their defensive pressure and confident ball movement created havoc against the Eagles last weekend.

“We were smashed at the stoppages when we were belted by the Crows,’’ Laird said.

“We could not get the ball off them and the biggest focus for us going into this game is matching them on ball.

“They looked very good in defence last week and we will have to fight hard to get positive results and keep the ball in the forward line.

“The Crows have quality around the ball and we need a decent show at the contest.’’

The Bulldogs promoted Kyle Jenner after two games in the reserves and Trent Goodrem is back in the line-up after overcoming a hamstring injury.

SATURDAY

Central District v Adelaide

Elizabeth Oval, 2.10pm

Radio: 5RPH

SUNDAY

Glenelg v South Adelaide

Glenelg Oval, 2.10

TV: 7mate

Port Adelaide v Eagles

Alberton, 2.10pm

Radio: 5RPH

North Adelaide v West Adelaide

Prospect Oval, 2.10pm

Radio: Life Fm

Sturt v Norwood

Unley Oval, 2.10pm