Meanwhile, there was a game of footy on at Prospect Oval yesterday...
As good as Central were, North were dissapointing but struggled with skill level under pressure and certainly missed Matt Wright's toughness around the stoppages. Although not in great form this year, the Roosters missed Clint Alleway as a lead up option across half forward and too mnay times North would find themselves just outside 50 with nothing on offer further up the field because Damon White was up field.
Centrals looked back to their best and their work rate across the 4 quarters would be up there with the best for the season. Skipper Paul Thomas was excellent, going close to a career high 30+ posessions, as well as being that 3rd man up again at congested ball ups, knocking it into space for the small brigade to run onto.
Despite a heavy tag from North first gamer Ben Williams, Dog's co-captain Matt Slade found some good form again and Trent Goodrem did a very good running job on Rhys Archard. Despite copping 2 or 3 heavy knocks on the hip, Brayden O'Hara continued his stellar season and I have mail saying he is a very good chance to be recruited into the AFL next season.
Todd Pfieffer played one of his better games at senior level for the Roosters, leading the goal scoring with 3 majors and certainly was one of a few who put in for 4 quarters. Eddie Sansbury showed how good he can be kicking 5 goals and setting up another couple and interestingly back at presentations, coach Roy Laird said he was close to being dropped in recent weeks because of his lack of work rate.
Ian Callinan's class came to the fore throughout the game as well, showing how valuable he will be for the Dogs come finals time when he is fully fit and firing. With Westies being pumped by Sturt and North losing their 4th in a row, it seems that those 2 sides are now battling for that last spot in finals action, to simply just make up the numbers.