Sloppy West Adelaide still too good for Central District at Elizabeth

THIS was one of those days West Adelaide coach Mark Mickan was content to simply pocket the two premiership points and move on to next week.

THIS was one of those days West Adelaide coach Mark Mickan was content to simply pocket the two premiership points and move on to next week.

The manner in which the Bloods overcame Central District by 11 points in Elizabeth failed to reflect a side camped third on the premiership ladder.

But wins at the home of the Bulldogs have been extremely rarely for the club and this one was vital in pursuit of the double chance in the finals.

"To come out here and win and take the two points ... we'll sort it (the performance) out later,'' Mickan said.

"They were one of the in-form teams in the competition and we knew we were in a heck of a fight when we turned up ... and that is what we got.

"Our turnovers cost us, we offered up too many turnovers. But it is good to go away with the win and know you can play a lot better.''

Bulldogs coach Roy Laird lamented the same problem. And it was an issue all day for the home side.

How the Bulldogs even kept in contact with the Bloods for most of the match and managed to be within five points late in the final quarter is a mystery.

Aaron Fielke kicked the opening goal for the Bloods just two minutes into the first quarter following a Bulldogs' skill error. That seemed to set the tone.

The Bulldogs were punished on the scoreboard for poor skills or decision making and every time they looked set to grab the frontrunning, they'd wrap a present for the opposition. There were few players not guilty of a costly act.

A Bulldogs win would have been an injustice.

The Bloods' pressure and tackling was a constant and they often worked more numbers to the contest.

The visitors also had many more polished acts when in possession but just could not put the Bulldogs away.

Kaine Stevens and Chris Schmidt were extremely busy for the Bloods while Jonathon Beech and Aaron Fielke are a talented duo and had a significant influence.

"Until we own up to the fact if you can't kick at this level, can't control the ball when you have the ascendancy, then a good team will score against you,'' Laird said.

"I've been impressed with West Adelaide and their mix of experience and young blokes. We prepared really well and had our hands on enough ball, but could not hurt them.''

CENTRAL DISTRICT 2.1 4.4 7.6 10.7 (67)

WEST ADELAIDE 2.1 5.2 7.8 11.12 (78)

BEST - West: Stevens, Schmidt, Porplyzia, Fielke, Beech, Tuck. Central: Hoskin, Goodrem, T. Schiller, Jansen, Haydon.

GOALS - West: Fielke 3, Francis 2, Silverlock, Tuck, Beech, Porplyzia, Green, Keough. Central: Goodrem, Hoskin 2, Stevens, Hanna, Collier, J. Schiller, Prior, Presbury.

UMPIRES - Sboro, Philp, Cook.

CROWD - 1868 at Elizabeth Oval.