Michael Wundke helps Eagles to get off to flying start
WOODVILLE-West Torrens, desperate to ease the pain of back-to-back grand final defeats, made a strong start to the new season with a 47-point win over Central District.
WOODVILLE-West Torrens has endured the heartache of back-to-back grand final defeats since it downed Central District in the 2011 premiership decider to claim its last SANFL flag.
The Eagles kickstarted their quest to go one better this season with a 47-point triumph over the Bulldogs at Elizabeth Oval on Saturday.
The visitors ran out 14.13 (97) to 6.14 (50) victors on the back of a dominant start, cleaner possession and superior accuracy in front of goal.
Michael Godden’s side, minor premier the past two years, led at every change on its way to victory as James Boyd shone with 26 disposals against his former club.
Powerful spearhead Michael Wundke booted five goals for the Eagles, who pushed their lead out to 28 points during the third term.
But two majors to Central debutant and ex-Port Adelaide Power forward John Butcher, both after athletic marks, cut the visitor’s buffer to seven points early in the last quarter.
It took three final-term goals to Wundke, including one from a tight angle, to kill off the Bulldogs’ challenge.
The Eagles added three more unanswered majors to blow the winning margin out.
Godden praised his players for their ability to convert opportunities and regroup after three quarter-time.
“I was a bit disappointed we let two goals in at the end of the third quarter and that probably would have been game-changing if we were to lose the game,” Godden said.
“The first 10 or 15 minutes (of the fourth quarter) was an arm wrestle but I’m proud of the way they went about it.”
The Eagles were on top from the outset in a three-goals-to-none opening quarter. Wundke took a typically strong grab directly in front before kicking the first goal of the contest with three minutes on the clock.
Central lifted its intensity in the second quarter and at one stage led in scoring shots (11-9) and inside 50s (16-15).
Travis Schiller got the Dogs’ first major of the campaign, but a lack of accuracy in front of the sticks proved costly throughout the afternoon.
Midfielder Chris Jansen (25 disposals) saw plenty of the footy, while the returning Josh Glenn (18 disposals) was industrious.
Bulldogs coach Roy Laird said the defeat was a lesson for his charges.
“We got outworked and out-pressured on the day,” Laird said. “To then be within touching distance in the last quarter based on that sort of output probably fills us with a bit of optimism because I think we can play a lot better.”