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The Bulldogs' 1996 coach, Steve Wright.
Preparations
For The Final Ascent
Preparations For The Final Ascent
The most obvious differences between Elizabeth Oval in 1996 and three decades earlier were the colours, with deep luxuriant greens replacing sun-scorched browns and yellows, creating an altogether more amenable, elegant and 'lived in' feel. Trees which in 1967 had been scrawny bushes tucked away behind the perimeter mounds now encircled and to a certain extent enfolded the arena, while the addition of several rows of terracing helped convey the impression that this was a football ground, not just an oval where football happened to be played.
The Central District journey since 1967 had been a long, arduous and still predominantly unfulfilling one, with many of the most frustrating and demoralising episodes occurring at the hands of the men from Alberton. It took the Bulldogs until 1971, which also happened to see the senior team qualify for the finals for the first time, finally to beat the Magpies. The game was at Elizabeth, and Centrals won by 5 goals, but when the teams met again when it really mattered on preliminary final day it was not the Bulldog fraternity who emerged smiling.
Port Adelaide extinguished Centrals' premiership aspirations in 1972 as well, after conceding the Bulldogs a 24 point lead late in the third term of the preliminary final, and a 21 point margin at the final change. At the end of the season it was observed in 'The SANFL Annual Report' that "the local support for the club is so strong that it seems it is destined to become one of the power bases of South Australian football" (see footnote 1). Nevertheless, it was to be seven long years before the club even tasted finals action again, let alone began to think in terms of empire building. That 1979 finals campaign was hardly calculated to generate optimism: after clinching their first ever minor premiership, the Bulldogs bowed out meekly in straight sets against Port Adelaide (inevitably) and South Adelaide.
| Despite this disappointment, or perhaps in an
effort to counter it, Centrals coach Darryl Hicks bravely declared that the
1980s would be 'the Decade of the Dogs', a pronouncement that would become
tantamount to a noose around the club's neck as it repeatedly promised to
deliver greatness, before almost embarrassedly deciding, often at the eleventh
hour, that it was more comfortable with mediocrity. The 1980s was a period
of great and colourful players - Platten, Moore, Wilson,
McAdam - messianic
coaches - Hicks, Neale, Kerley - and a one hundred per cent failure rate in
finals.
Nor were the '90s, at least initially, much better. When the Bulldogs qualified for the finals in 4th place in 1993 there was a palpable and wholehearted desire to get the finals monkey off their backs, but the side's performance against Norwood in the elimination final was no better than in any of its previous ten major round matches, all of which had also been lost. |
Centrals-Port action at Football Park during the 1980s, a disastrous decade for the Dogs. (Click to enlarge.) |
After losing the 1994 qualifying final in extra time to Port Adelaide (the first SANFL final to be decided in this fashion), Alan Stewart's Bulldogs finally enjoyed that long forgotten finals winning feeling when they edged past Norwood by 4 points in the following week's 1st semi final. The elation, inevitably, was considerable, but it was also short-lived (or over-done?) In the preliminary final against Port, Centrals was blown away to the tune of 90 points.
Improvement continued in stages. In 1995, after more than three decades of trying, Central District finally made it through to a grand final, only to be confronted, almost inevitably, by the club's perennial bête noire, ominously festooned in black and white. Port Adelaide's 13.16 (94) to 6.10 (46) 1995 grand final win left deep scars, but sometimes healing can harden and reinforce, and in 1996 Centrals determinedly went about the job of rectifying matters, with the Magpies, now categorically cast in the role of 'Public Enemy Number One', feeling the overwhelming brunt of the club's newfound steely resolve. New coach Steve Wright, while making a point of keeping things low key and relaxed, and making few overt changes to the style of play developed under Stewart, nevertheless brought with him a wealth of experience gleaned from 246 V/AFL games with South Melbourne/Sydney, and almost inevitably this trickled through to the players. "I'm fortunate to have inherited a side with a good game plan already in place and good players," Wright observed midway through the 1996 season. "We have some proven running guys, strong marking players and a cohesive defence. We're still lacking in some departments, but the players are aware of that." (See footnote 2)
Exactly what Wright thought the deficiencies were is unclear, but on the eve of the Bulldogs' round 20 clash with Port Adelaide things had, in general, proceeded swimmingly, with Centrals perched proudly atop the ladder having already inflicted a couple of demoralising defeats on their arch enemy (see footnote 3). With the prospect of the double chance in the finals looming, there seemed genuine grounds for optimism that 1996 might finally prove to be the season in which the Central District Football Club, an organisation of so much promise and so much thwarted ambition for so long, would take the hardest step in football, from also-ran to champion.
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Penpix of the two captains. (Click to enlarge.) |
The Port Adelaide Football Club meanwhile had
taken that ultimate step long before any of its hordes of supporters, and its
even greater hordes of haters, had even been born. The oldest football
club in South Australia, it was also far and away the most successful, eliciting
in various measures pride, adulation, fear, envy and loathing. Its status
as 'Public Enemy Number One' made it more or less equally detested whether you
habitually watched your footy at Elizabeth Oval, or Norwood, Glenelg, Unley,
Richmond, Woodville, Prospect or Noarlunga. If anything, the detestation
had ballooned in recent years as a result of the circumstances surrounding the
club's initially thwarted, but ultimately successful, bid to join the Australian
Football League. Midway through the 1996 season Magpies coach John Cahill
had relinquished his role in order to devote himself to preparing full time for
the club's AFL debut the following year. Cahill's replacement at the helm
of the Magpies was Stephen Williams, son of the legendary instigator of the
club's incomparable post-war achievements, Fos
Williams, who, along with his
brother Mark, would go on to make a significant contribution to the Port
Adelaide ethos and legacy.
The Magpies went into this round 20 clash in 4th position on the premiership ladder, having undergone a mid-season deterioration in form that would have been alarming had it not, in recent seasons, become almost habitual. Coming off the bye, its players were rested, and with the finals just a month away, could reasonably be expected to have put their mid-year malaise behind them. |
Centrals too had endured something of a decline in form of late, with a scrappy 45 point round 18 win over the Eagles being sandwiched between losses against South Adelaide by 16 points in round 17, and Norwood by a heart-rending solitary point at Elizabeth in round 19. Nevertheless, the Bulldogs still topped the ladder, and a win against Port would go a long way towards making that position secure.
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Port Adelaide captain Tim Ginever, having won the toss, elects to kick to the northern end of Elizabeth Oval which is favoured by a two to three goal breeze. The weather is cool and overcast, with a distinct threat of rain in the air. 4 mins After more or less successfully withstanding Centrals' opening barrage, Port Adelaide finally manage to mount a meaningful foray into their attacking zone. With the ball bouncing loose in the left forward pocket, a swag of players converges, led by the Magpies' Brian Leys, who just manages to give off a handball to Tony Malakellis before being sent flying by Scott Stephens. Despite the heavy surrounding traffic, the former Geelong and Sydney rover manages to maneuver into space before snapping truly from less than 20 metres. Port Adelaide 1.0; Central District 0.1 6 mins David Brown, having marked deep in the left forward pocket for Port Adelaide, looks to be lining up a shot for goal, but his kick appears to hold up in the breeze, and comes back to earth near the left edge of the goal square where Scott Hodges, having used his body cleverly to make front position, takes a strong, one grab overhead mark. From less than 10 metres out, almost straight in front, the 1990 Magarey Medallist would almost have to fall over to miss. Port Adelaide 2.0; Central District 0.1 8 mins Tim Ginever squeezes a low kick forward from just outside to just inside the 50 metre area. After taking a surprisingly long and high bounce, the ball is thumped goalwards by Scott Hodges right into the path of the running Stephen Carter, who straightens up and fires home from less than 20 metres. Port Adelaide 3.0; Central District 0.1 |
David Brown profile - click to enlarge. |
19 mins After the Bulldogs' initial flourish it has been all Port Adelaide, with black and white jumpers seemingly outnumbering those of the opposition by a ratio of at least two to one, an apparent imbalance that repeatedly forces Centrals players to fumble, drop marks or miss the target with attempted passes. One such faux pas incurs the ultimate punishment when Roger Girdham, with nowhere to go near the centre of the ground, endeavours to handball back to James Saywell, only for Saywell's direct opponent Greg Anderson to lay a heavy tackle which knocks the ball loose. To Girdham's credit, he has realised his mistake immediately, and has dashed back to his team mate's aid, only for the loose ball to bounce off his shin right into the path of Brian Bienke, who promptly off loads by hand to David Brown. Galloping on, Brown spots Stephen Carter leading into space near centre half forward, and his perfectly weighted left foot pass hangs in the air in front of that player, enabling him to run on and mark comfortably. Not by any means the longest kick in the Port Adelaide team Carter, who is just over 40 metres from goal, is probably at the limit of his range, and seems to look to play on. However, with no viable leads on offer, he goes back and, displaying admirable concentration and resolve, just manages to squeeze the ball inside the right upright for his second major of the game. Port Adelaide 4.0; Central District 0.2
22 mins Scott Lee, deep in the left back pocket adjacent to the behind post, takes a free kick for out of bounds on the full which he aims towards the boundary at half back left. A large pack of players forms, and Warren Tredrea, a 17 year old second-gamer for Port Adelaide, gets higher off the ground than anyone to thump the ball forward to Greg Anderson. The former Essendon and Adelaide wingman is under intense pressure but manages to shoot out a handball to his former Crows team mate David Brown, who slips over but still has the presence of mind to spy Tim Ginever running past and find him with a deft hand pass. Running to within 30 metres of goal, Ginever seems to hesitate before electing to fire off an in truth somewhat flaccid looking left foot snap shot that nevertheless just has the legs to evade the goal line pack and sail through for the final score of the term. QUARTER TIME: Port Adelaide 5.0 (30); Central District 0.2 (2)
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Scott Lee profile - click to enlarge. |
1 min 30 secs Whatever Bulldogs coach Stevie Wright said to his players during the quarter time interval appears to have an immediate and pronounced effect as the Centrals players, to a man, appear sharper, faster and more desperate. Centrals it is who mount the first significant attack of the term as Saywell thumps a high kick forward from just behind the centre circle to just inside the 50 metre zone. Mark Conway and Darren Mead contest the mark, with Conway seeing of a stern challenge from the Magpie defender to hang on to a tenacious overhead mark. His left foot kick from just over 50 metres out elicits roars of approbation from the Bulldog faithful as it just eludes the flailing arms of the goal line pack for his team's first goal. Port Adelaide 5.0; Central District 1.2 4 mins Scott Lee's blind handball under pressure at half back left for Centrals puts team mate Brenton Daniel under the hammer, and Phil McGuinness promptly wraps him up to earn a free kick for holding the ball. Spotting Scott Hodges on a fast lead some 30 metres closer to goal, McGuinness fires off a pinpoint pass that the Port full forward leaps into with relish before executing a trademark clinical finish. Just as in the opening term, the Bulldogs have totally dominated the first four minutes, only to end up paying the ultimate penalty for a momentary indiscretion. Port Adelaide 6.0; Central District 1.3 8 mins The Bulldogs sweep downfield in classic fashion from deep in their defensive zone as Scott Lee, in the right back pocket, finds Scott Stephens at centre half back, who has time to turn, spot Ricky MacGowan running into space near the centre circle, and find him with a casual, floating pass. Having taken the ball in front of his body, MacGowan releases Tim Cook, whose brisk grass burner of a pass hits Jarrod Cotton on the chest just inside 50. Cotton, who has recently modified his unique and somewhat indelicate kicking style, is on target with a towering left foot drop punt. Port Adelaide 6.0; Central District 2.3 10 mins Peter Green is taken high by Michael Wilson and, from the resultant free kick, 35 metres out on a 45 degree angle to the left of goal, he coolly splits the centre. Central District, playing a desperate, impassioned but highly intelligent brand of football of which Ken Eustice would be proud, are well and truly back in contention. Port Adelaide 6.0; Central 3.3 |
12 mins Having been awarded a free kick for holding the ball against Jarrod Cotton, David Brown is brought from half back left to just in front of left centre wing by the umpire after Cotton refuses to relinquish the ball. Brown's resultant kick reaches half forward left where Darryl Poole spoils Craig Potter from behind before pouncing on the loose ball and guiding a handball into the path of Tredrea. The young "champion of the future" (according to Magpies coach Stephen Williams) then releases Tim Ginever, who gallops in field a little to improve the angle, and then spears a low, left foot snap shot through the vacant goal square and across the line for his second major of the game. Port Adelaide 7.0; Central District 3.3
27 mins As the long threatened rain begins to fall, a ball up takes about 20 metres directly in front of the home team's goal. Port ruckman Shane Crothers, as he has done virtually all afternoon, wins the tap and attempts to direct the ball over the right back pocket boundary line. Ricky MacGowan, however, intercepts the ball, and feeds Jim Wynd with a quick handball, whereupon the former Fitzroy rover deftly maneuvers into space and fires home with a right foot, around the corner snap. Port Adelaide 7.2; Central District 4.6
As the half time siren sounds a couple of minutes later, an all-in brawl briefly erupts in the lea of the main grandstand, as a result of which two players, Centrals' Tim Cook and Port's Paul Northeast, are reported. HALF TIME: Port Adelaide 7.2 (44); Central District 4.6 (30)
In slippery conditions early in the third term, the Bulldogs squander two excellent opportunities to score, when first Mark Conway, and then Simon Luhrs, run in towards goal from less than twenty metres and somehow conspire to miss everything.
3 mins When Andrew Balkwill is afforded a similar opportunity, however, his concentration is almost palpable as he kicks through the ball in text book fashion to make absolutely sure. Port Adelaide 7.2; Central District 5.6
5 mins From a ball up deep in Port's right forward pocket, Darren Smith palms the ball to Darryl Poole who, despite being promptly gang-tackled, manages to squeeze out a two metre handball to Greg Anderson, who takes a couple of backward steps to give himself room before deftly steering home a left foot snap. Port Adelaide 8.2; Central District 5.6
| 7 mins
A sloppy
kick-in after a Centrals behind is marked right on 50 metres, directly in front
of goal by Craig Potter. The ex-Brisbane player then kicks towards the
right forward pocket, where Cotton and Wilson contest. The Port man uses
his superior body strength to maneuver into front position, but Cotton, not to
be out-done, takes a flying leap from behind, wedging his right knee into the
crook of Wilson's neck, and simultaneously soaring high and sending his opponent
crashing, spread-eagled, to the ground. As Cotton himself returns to
earth, the ball arrives, and the Bulldog half forward, almost as an
afterthought, hugs it to his chest, whereupon, to hoots of derision from the
Port fans, the umpire awards him a mark, and he nonchalantly steers the ball
home. Port Adelaide 8.2; Central District 6.7
10 mins After about 90 seconds of intense pressure football deep in Centrals' forward line, during which players of both teams have been unable to procure clean possession, Port half back flanker Michael Wilson finally manages to pick the ball up and sink his boot into a hefty clearance, which travels from just outside the goal square almost to the centre of the ground. Unfortunately for Port, however, the only player in the vicinity is Stephen Schwerdt who, having marked easily, has time to measure his options before delivering a perfectly judged pass to Wilson's immediate opponent, Jarrod Cotton, who has run into space at centre half forward. Cotton kicks truly to bring the Bulldogs to within a point. Port Adelaide 8.2; Central District 7.7 12 mins A rushed behind to Centrals ties up the scores. Port Adelaide 8.2; Central District 7.8 |
Michael Wakelin profile - click to enlarge. |
16 mins Warren Tredrea, having marked strongly at half forward left, intelligently floats the ball into space in the left forward pocket ahead of Stephen Carter, who has a couple of metres on his opponent Michael Wakelin, and is able to run into the flight of the ball and mark. His kick for goal is accurate. Port Adelaide 9.2; Central District 7.8
22 mins A scrimmage forms deep in Port Adelaide's right forward pocket and Bulldogs on-baller Stephen Schwerdt, showing great courage, dives headlong through a wall of players to gain possession of the ball, which he then attempts to relay by hand to a team mate, only to see the ball cannon back to him off an opponent's shins. Diving on top of the ball once more, Schwerdt drags it under his body in an effort to get it under control but, with Scott Hodges holding onto his jumper and looking imploringly towards the umpire, he is promptly pinged for holding the ball. Hodges' kick for goal from a tight angle is precision itself, and suddenly the Magpies have some breathing space again. Port Adelaide 10.3; Central District 7.8
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Rohan Smith profile - click to enlarge. |
24 mins Roger
Girdham, having marked comfortably on the chest at centre half back for the
Bulldogs, looks to play on, and is promptly and fiercely claimed from behind by
Tony Malakellis, with the ball being jarred loose in the process. First
upon it is David Brown, who fires off a low pass towards Scott Hodges on the
edge of the goal square. Hodges briefly gets hands to the ball, but then
is sent sprawling headlong by Stephen Schwerdt, whereupon the umpire awards a
free for 'in the back'. From near point blank range, Hodges is never going
to miss. Port Adelaide 11.3; Central District 7.8
27 mins Surrounded by a posse of Port players, Stephen Schwerdt gains possession at centre half back. Faced with no obvious options, he dithers momentarily, and is promptly seized by Tony Malakellis, with the ball spilling to ground and being collected by 'Daisy' Borlase. The Magpie centreman, who has been having an unusually quiet afternoon, prods a kick forward some 7 or 8 metres into the arms of David Brown, who has plenty of time to turn round and make absolutely certain from near point blank range. Port Adelaide 12.3; Central District 7.8 29 mins Twenty metres ahead of centre, weight of numbers tells once again for Port Adelaide, as Scott Lee is tackled while in the act of attempting to kick the ball, forcing him to effect an 'airy', and allowing Tony Malakellis to snatch up the loose ball and sprint on his full measure before sinking his boot into a thumping drop punt that sails over Michael Wakelin's head in the goal square before bouncing over the line for what the ABC commentary team of Steven Trigg, Ken Sheldon and Peter Woite, conscious of the fact that, with light but persistent rain continuing, the ground is getting heavier, regard as 'the sealer'. Port Adelaide 13.3; Central District 7.8 |
After having seemed in trouble early in the term, Port Adelaide have recovered superbly to register the last 5 goals of the quarter and go into the 'lemon time' huddle seemingly well in control of the match. Three weeks earlier, Port had gone into the final break leading by a similar margin against North Adelaide, only to overhauled after a limp last quarter performance. Such a capitulation is rare indeed in the history of a club as proud as Port Adelaide, so the chances of it happening again so soon would have to be regarded as extremely remote. THREE QUARTER TIME: Port Adelaide 13.3 (81); Central District 7.8 (50)
4 mins Jarrod Cotton, in possession of the ball at centre half forward for the Bulldogs, and just about to off load a hand ball, is flung ferociously to the ground by an increasingly frustrated Michael Wilson, but this only succeeds in adding momentum to the handball which travels forward some 20 metres right into the path of John Abbott. With Darren Mead approaching fast from the goal square, Abbott feints to handball over the Port player's head to his now unmarked opponent, Simon Luhrs. This ploy has the desired effect of causing Mead to pause in his run, whereupon Abbott is able to kick high and true into the hordes of celebrating Bulldog fans behind the goal. Port Adelaide 13.3; Central District 8.8
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5 mins With Centrals now throwing everything into attack, back pocket Michael Wakelin chases the ball through the centre of the ground, scoops it up, and kicks towards half forward left where Simon Luhrs deftly taps it into the path of Jarrod Cotton, and the rampant half forward's kick just eludes the desperate goal line lunge of Darren Mead to bring the Bulldogs to within 19 points. Port Adelaide 13.3; Central District 9.8 6 mins Crothers' hit-out from the ensuing centre bounce is snared by Potter, who throws the ball hurriedly and blindly onto his left boot. Magpie defender Paul Northeast appears to have it covered, but he loses concentration, and spill the mark. Tim Cook is on the ball in a flash, and before Northeast can tackle him he has shot out a handball to David Green, who runs on and, to a gleeful, almost disbelieving response from the home crowd, sends a prodigious kick over the heads of the goal line pack and through for a goal. Port Adelaide 13.3; Central District 10.8 9 mins Scott Stephens' kick from just outside 50 travels towards the goal square where Michael Wilson finds himself confronted by two opponents, Mark Conway and Jarrod Cotton. He successfully spoils Conway's attempt to mark, only to see the ball spill to Cotton who, as Conway provides the shepherd, has no difficulty in registering his fifth goal of the match. Port Adelaide 13.3; Central District 11.8 |
Greg Anderson - click to enlarge. |
15 mins Roger Girdham's tunnel handball near the centre of the ground is gathered up by Andrew Balkwill who evades a couple of opponents before kicking long towards the goal square. Yet again, the ball sails over everyone's heads, but this time stops short of the goal line. However, Tim Cook is first upon it, and almost in spite of himself manages to soccer it through the goals to bring the Bulldogs to within a couple of points. Port Adelaide 13.4; Central District 12.8
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James Saywell profile - click to enlarge. |
17 mins Potter's snap from 30 metres out directly in front veers off line to the right to reduce the margin to a point. Port Adelaide 13.4; Central District 12.9 19 mins Port's 2 point margin is restored courtesy of an anti-climactic Scott Hodges behind following a spectacular mark at centre half forward which sees him dive headlong through a pack of players to clasp the ball to his chest moments before thudding to the ground. Port Adelaide 13.5; Central District 12.9 20 mins Mark Conway runs into an open goal from the right forward pocket but the greasy ball skids of the side of his boot and barely registers a behind. Port Adelaide 13.5; Central District 12.10 20 mins 30 secs Delaney's kick in following the behind is aimed towards Bienke at half back left, but David Green effects a powerful spoil from behind, and the loose ball is collected by Cook. The former Crows rover feeds MacGowan with a quick handball, and MacGowan relays it back to Green near the boundary. Green's centering kick finds Conway unmarked about 25 metres from goal directly in front, and to tumultuous acclaim from behind the goal, Conway kicks truly to put the Bulldogs in front for the first time in the game. Central District 13.10; Port Adelaide 13.5 27 mins Tredrea is tackled fiercely by Girdham near the centre of the ground and the ball bounces free. Stephens is first to reach it, and he pops a short kick forward into the arms of Potter, who runs on and kicks towards the goal square. Trotting almost casually back unattended, Stephen Carter appears to have the ball well covered, but his lethargy is misplaced as the ball just eludes his fingertips and bounces across the line for a dramatic, match-clinching goal. Central District 14.10; Port Adelaide 13.6 |
For the remaining two minutes or so of the game, Centrals are content to play the boundary line on the grandstand wing, effectively nullifying any attempts by Port to mount a viable counter attack. FINAL SCORE: Central District 14.10 (94); Central District 13.6 (84)
Central District duly procured the 1996 minor premiership, ahead of Norwood on percentage (both teams finishing with 15 wins and 5 losses). Port Adelaide went on to win its last two minor round games of the year to clinch the double chance, two wins behind Centrals and Norwood, and one ahead of the Eagles. A 10.18 (78) to 9.11 (65) qualifying final defeat of the Redlegs earned the Magpies another crack at Centrals, but the Bulldogs played with unprecedented zeal, vigour, passion and skill to run out comfortable 24 point winners.
After the Magpies emerged by the skin of their teeth from a tumultuous preliminary final clash with Norwood, most of the smart money was on Centrals procuring a first ever senior flag. However, on grand final day Port Adelaide cranked up the intensity by several notches, and the hapless Bulldogs could not cope. Despite winning four out of the five meetings between the clubs over the course of the year, Centrals had wilted when it really mattered, and the club's tortuous climb to greatness would have to resume from within the maelstrom of yet another devastating disappointment.
"Some are born to greatness; some have greatness thrust upon them" - so goes the famous saying. A decade on from the soul-destroying events of 1996, however, the Central District Football Club has at long last arrived at greatness by a different, but arguably much more satisfying route. After many frustrating years of adversity, false dawns and unfulfilled potential, the club has earned its present vaunted status the hard way, and having struggled so desperately for so long to reach the top of the tree the prospects of its returning to earth in the near future appear remote.
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Pts | |
| Central District | 0.2 | 4.6 | 7.8 | 14.10 | 94 |
| Port Adelaide | 5.0 | 7.2 | 13.3 | 13.6 | 84 |
BEST - Centrals: Cotton, MacGowan, Stevens, Cook, Schwerdt, Potter Port Adelaide: Brown, Crothers, Hodges, Carter, Ginever
GOALS - Centrals: Cotton 6; Conway, Cook 2; Balkwill, D.Green, P.Green, Potter Port Adelaide: Hodges 4; Carter 3; Ginever, T.Malakellis 2; Anderson, Brown
ATTENDANCE: 7,408 at Elizabeth Oval
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1. 'SANFL Annual Report Season 1972', page 4. Return to Main Text
2. 'SA Football Budget', 13-14/7/96, page 23. Return to Main Text
3. Centrals won by 27 points in a low scoring game at Football Park in round 2, and by 21 points at Alberton in round 11. Return to Main Text
