Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
JUST two years ago Central District was in its 12th consecutive grand final and West Adelaide had missed the finals for the seventh consecutive season.
Fast forward to 2013 and the Bulldogs are win-less and on the bottom of the SANFL ladder, while the Bloods are four-for-four and perched atop the premiership table.
And on the weekend West beat North Adelaide by a point and Central lost a game to Glenelg at the Bay it had led for most of the night.
Also on Football Nation: SANFL Scores and Ladder (Round 4, 2013)
Before round four had started there were three undefeated sides but afterwards only the Bloods record survived.
The Friday night clash between the Roosters and West was a dour struggle with goals at a premium, the Bloods managing two to North’s one in the final quarter, to win 8-10 to 7-15.
While the Roosters had seven single goalkickers, Taite Silverlock booted three for West to help steer his side home, while Ben Macreadie kicked a point to level the scores with 90 seconds remaining in the game, and then the winning behind.
Best for the victors was Brad Mangan, in his first season with the club, while gun recruit Nathan Gordon was North’s standout player.
This week West will play Norwood at the Parade in the annual Anzac Day match between the previous season’s grand finalists, while the Roosters travel to Noarlunga on Friday for another night match.
Reigning premier Norwood lost for the first time this season when it went down to the Eagles at Norwood in another Friday night game.
A five goal to two first quarter and kicking the only four majors of the third term laid the foundation of the Eagles 36-point victory.
The Eagles had five AFL-listed players in their side, the most effective the Crows Bernie Vince, who was the standout performer on the night.
Without his flowing locks this season, Scott Lewis is still playing good footy for the Eagles and was an important cog in his side’s domination of the midfield.
For Norwood, captain Kieran McGuinness, who missed most of last season through injury, led from the front.
Playing at home this Saturday, the Eagles have to consolidate their position with a victory over Port Adelaide, or else they will fall back in the pack.
On Saturday afternoon South Adelaide broke through for its maiden 2013 victory with a solid 31-point win over Sturt.
After a dog-fight in the first half, which saw the Panthers lead by 12 points, South opened the game up with seven goals in the third term to go into the final change of ends 42 points ahead.
Michael Wundke proved a handful for the Double Blues defenders with five goals, while former Glenelg player Shannon Snoop made his presence felt as an opportunist forward, kicking three majors.
Best for the Panthers was reigning Magarey Medallist Joel Cross, while for Sturt 2008 medallist Luke Crane was on fire.
Ziggy Vitkunas and Matt Duldig booted three goals each for the Double Blues.
While South return to Noarlunga this Friday for its clash with North, it may not be a blessing, as the Panthers record at home last season and so far this year has not been good.
Sturt plays Glenelg at the Bay under lights on Saturday night and will be a chance to win.
Two seasons ago Central District had one of its best ever minor round victories when it beat Glenelg at the Bay with 17 fit men for over half the game.
On Saturday night the Bulldogs play was in complete contrast, as it lost a game they should have won, at the same ground and against the same opponent.
As a result of Saturday’s 10-point loss, Central is win-less and sitting at the bottom of the SANFL table – its worse start to a season since 1967!
For 90 percent of the game it appeared the Bulldogs were heading for victory, with a couple of mistakes proving costly, as Glenelg kicked the game’s final three goals to pinch the premiership points.
Andrew Hooper kicked the go-ahead goal for the Tigers, while Carl Nicholson booted the sealer at the 23-minute mark.
Best for the Bays was Jarryd Lyons, while Jason Davenport and second-gamer Tom Clurey were conspicuous.
For the Bulldogs, ruckman Seb Guilhaus not only again dominated the hit outs, he complimented his game with some great fieldwork, while reigning Ken Farmer Medallist Justin Hardy booted four goals.
This week Central has the bye.