There are plenty of reasons Central District fans should be excited about 2019

Central District missed a spot in the finals this year after a lacklustre season, but there are plenty of reasons the Bulldogs should have fans excited about a revival.

Five reasons for Central District fans to be positive ahead of the 2019 SANFL season:

1 THE late Merv Neagle was a premiership hero with Essendon and now three of his sons have joined the Bulldogs. Jydon, Matthew and Jaxon are a classy trio who will give the Bulldogs some versatility. Jydon has played with Essendon’s VFL side, is a three-times best and fairest winner at Wodonga and will provide the Dogs with a key forward target. Matthew and Jaxon play across half back and on the wing. AFL clubs were looking at Matthew as a draft option this year before copping a nasty arm injury. Jaxon is the youngest at 18 and has been impressing with Waratahs in Darwin, even being among the goal kickers.

2 THERE was strong speculation gun onballer Travis Schiller was contemplating moving interstate for reasons away from football. The courageous midfielder was the Dogs’ best player this season and that was reflected in his easy win in the best and fairest award. It is the second season he has claimed the title. Schiller was the competition’s most prolific possession earner in the minor rounds this year, average almost 30 for his 18 games. He is never far from the action and after losing a raft of gun onballers after the 2017 season, the club could not afford to be without Schiller.

3 THE Darcy Fort story is intriguing, having been recruited from the Geelong area and now heading back there after being drafted by the Cats. He has thrived at Elizabeth Oval and will be a huge loss for the Bulldogs. But they have recruited a couple of young blokes who will be desperate to step up and have an impact in their debut SANFL seasons. Tim Auckland joins the club from Launceston where he was under new Woodville-West Torrens coach Sam Lonergan, but he already has had a taste of SANFL action after playing two games for the Crows this season. The Dogs have also signed Jonathan Marsh from Sydney. He is 203cm and mobile and impressed in the NEAFL this year.

Tim Auckland of Launceston in the Tasmanian State League qualifying final. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

4 GOOD Friday football has become a popular ingredient of the SANFL draw and not only will the Dogs be involved, they will face reigning champions North Adelaide at Prospect Oval on April 19. This has been established as a competitive rivalry and given it is round four, the Bulldogs will face a desperate Roosters who need wins after starting the season minus four premiership points as penalty for the 19th man drama. The Bulldogs always fancy their chances against the Roosters and they will look forward to the test against the premiers, especially given the potential for a big Good Friday crowd.

5 HISTORY will be created in 2019 when the Bulldogs field a team in the women’s state league, joining Woodville-West Torrens as the new inclusions. The Bulldogs’ women’s side will make it debut under lights against West Adelaide at Richmond Oval on February 15. There will be plenty of opportunities for fans to have a look at the new identity with double headers with the men’s team. The men’s side makes its season debut at Noarlunga Oval on March 30 and the game will be followed by the women’s clash. The following week the Bulldogs host Norwood in the men and then women.