SA Footy

Matt Turner wrote:THE Bulldogs are preparing to clear out the kennel after surprisingly being dumped out of the SANFL finals on the first weekend.

Central District's 20.16 (136) to 10.14 (74) loss to North Adelaide in the elimination final at AAMI Stadium on Sunday looms as the last in red, white and blue for a host of players after coach Roy Laird said a "significant" clean-out was needed to climb the ladder.

It follows Central's shock straight-sets finals exit last year - also at the hands of North - and the subsequent losses of long-time stars, ­including retiring twins Chris and James Gowans.

"We started, effectively, a clean-out last year with some numbers but we've got to make another significant one now," Laird said after the match.

"We had too many repeat offenders who can't stand up under pressure.

"We've got to cut ties with some players and then become really proactive quickly trying to find players.

"As a result of doing it quickly we'll be proactive in trying to fill holes."

Laird would not name players potentially facing the chop but said those who did not work hard enough or had poor skills were first in line.

Shoddy foot skills, ­fumbles and turnovers led to immense pressure from North, particularly in its ­forward 50.

"Work-rate and skill level - that was it in a nutshell," Laird said of the reasons for the Bulldogs' elimination ­final loss.

"I thought a lot of it (pressure) was brought on by our skill level.

"They rightfully could get stuck into us because of the mistakes we made.

"Some of those players ­unfortunately have made it repeatedly now over a few years so it's a bit of a ­statement that maybe they're not good enough."