SANFL 2018: Central District v West Adelaide | Round 3 match report

WEST Adelaide has bounced back from the humiliation of a 138-point loss a week earlier to secure a gutsy triumph over Central District and kickstart its SANFL campaign.

Aaron Fielke booted two goals in West Adelaide’s shock victory over Central District at Elizabeth Oval. Picture: Sara Reed

WEST Adelaide has bounced back from the humiliation of a 138-point loss a week earlier to secure a gutsy triumph over Central District.

Bloods coach Gavin Colville had described his side’s effort as “embarrassing” and “unacceptable” as it was thumped by North Adelaide at Prospect Oval last Sunday.

But West produced a performance full of hunger and desire to claim a nine-point victory at Elizabeth Oval six days later and kickstart its previously winless campaign.

The visitors trailed by 22 points at half-time in cold and windy conditions, before clawing their way to an unlikely four-point lead on the back of a three-goal-to-none third term.

Indeed, the Bloods might have taken a more handsome lead to the final change had they not kicked eight behinds in the premiership quarter.

John Butcher and Kyle Presbury missed set shots early in the fourth quarter for the Bulldogs, who were kept goalless in the second half.

West youngster Ken Karpany then won a free kick and held his nerve to convert from 25m to send the Bloods to an 8.15 (63) to 8.6 (54) success.

Colville said hanging in the contest until the main break had been crucial as his side made amends for the previous week’s drubbing.

West Adelaide’s Nathan Batley was a standout in the Bloods’ win over Central District. Picture: Sarah Reed

“We tried to turn last week into an opportunity to learn,” Colville said.

“It wasn’t about changing everything.

“We revisited some key structures and to their credit they got them right today.”

Captain Tom Keough (25 disposals, one goal), Josh Schiller (23 possessions, six tackles) and Nathan Batley (25 disposals) shone for the Bloods.

Aaron Fielke also kicked two vital goals before coming off with a shoulder injury.

But Central took a 10-point lead to the first change kicking into a stiff breeze in a seesawing opening term.

Presbury snapped home early and Isaya McKenzie followed suit a minute later to get the hosts off to a flyer.

Just when the Bloods looked like they might be heading for another mauling, Fielke did well to collect a bouncing ball before spinning to kick the visitors’ first.

Mason Middleton then teed up Aaron Anderson inside 50, who made no mistake to put West in front.

Late goals to Butcher and captain Trent Goodrem after the quarter-time siren in his 200th game gave Central the edge.

The Dogs took advantage of the wind at their backs to kick four goals to two in the second term.

Central District’s Travis Schiller attempts to get his kick away under pressure against West Adelaide. Picture: Sarah Reed

Cooper Dahms benefited from some good work by Butcher who kept the loose ball alive and fed the youngster to finish from close range.

Presbury pounced on a poor kick-in by Logan Hill to convert, but Mason Middleton and Fielke with a great kick from outside 50m kept the Bloods in touch.

Presbury booted his third and Justin Hoskin unselfishly teed up Butcher to give the home side breathing space at the main break.

The match swung in West’s favour in the third term as the visitors kicked three goals and kept Central scoreless.

Shannon Green and John Noble gave the Bloods the momentum, before Keough marked brilliantly and goaled on the buzzer to pave the way for a morale-boosting victory.

Milestone man Goodrem and Hoskin (25 disposals each) battled hard for the Bulldogs, but their side was made pay for a host of sloppy turnovers and a lack of fight.

SCOREBOARD

CENTRAL DISTRICT 4.1 8.3 8.3 8.6 (54)

WEST ADELAIDE 2.3 4.5 7.13 8.15 (63)

BEST – Central: Hoskin, Goodrem, Presbury, Butcher, Stephenson. West: Keough, J. Schiller, Batley, Fielke, Noble, Anderson, Green.

GOALS – Central: Presbury 3, Butcher 2, McKenzie, Goodrem, Dahms. West: Fielke 2, Anderson, Middleton, Green, Noble, Keough, Karpany.

INJURIES – West: Fielke (shoulder).

UMPIRES – S. Galletly, D. Sobieraj, M. Schramm.

CROWD: 1348 at Elizabeth Oval