We've just passed the halfway mark of the 2024 SANFL season, with premiership contenders and struggling sides emerging from their opening 10 games of the campaign so far.
Here we look at each club's state of play, their run home to finals and leading best and fairest contenders ahead of the final stretch.
Central District
Position: 5th
Wins: 7
Losses: 3ย
Percentage: 54.32%
Biggest win: 63 points v South Adelaide, Round 10
Biggest loss: 50 points v Norwood, Round 7
Central District have set themselves up nicely for a crack at their first top-three finish in 12 years after a solid start to season 2024.
The Doggies came bursting out of the blocks to win their first five games and sit atop the ladder after five rounds.
However, their form slumped thereafter, losing the next three games, including two at home to put them back among the chasing pack.
Centrals have shown marked improvement in their attacking output this year, going from the second-worst scoring team last year to the third-best so far in 2024.
Scoring over 90 points just twice last season, the Bulldogs achieved that feat in each of their first four games this year as they looked far more potent inside 50.
Key spearhead Aiden Grace has been pivotal in the offensive revival, kicking 22 goals in 10 games to sit second in the Ken Farmer Medal race.
Lively small forward Jake Gasper has proved a superb pickup from Port Melbourne, kicking 20 goals in eight games and providing a genuine threat whenever the ball is in his area.
The Bulldogs' ability to take their chances in front of goal was also crucial in their early-season blitz, kicking 47.31 across the first four games to rank first for accuracy in the competition.
Reigning Magarey medallist Harry Grant's impact on this team was highlighted in his absence with a knee injury, with the Bulldogs losing all three games he missed and winning all seven he has played in.
Grant has received some close checking from opposition teams and was tagged largely out of the game in Round 1 by North Adelaide, but is still averaging 24 disposals, five clearances and seven tackles as one of the premier mids in the league.
Ruckman Billy McCormack has been a big loss for Centrals, going down with a knee injury in Round 3 that ended his season after a stellar 2023 campaign.
The Bulldogs have had to lean on rookie ruckman Harvey Howe and young tall Beau Thomas, who have been admirable in filling the void but ultimately outmatched by the league's bigger ruckmen.
Despite sitting in the top five, doubts remain around the Bulldogs' form against top teams.
Five of their seven wins have come against bottom-five teams, while all three of their losses have been to other top-five teams.
Two of these were at home against Sturt and Norwood, the latter featured a scarcely believable 11-goal third quarter from the Legs in which Central were utterly powerless.ย
They did get back on the winners' list with a meritorious six-point win over the Eagles at Woodville, holding their powerful attack to its lowest score of the season.
Another area of improvement for the Bulldogs has been their form away from home, winning three games on the road already this year compared to just two for all of last season.
Best & Fairest contenders:
Despite missing three games with injury, Harry Grant will again be high up in the voting for Centrals, enjoying a consistent season and playing a big role in the Bulldogs' fortunes this year.
Brinn Little has emerged as one of the competition's best key defenders this season, earning his first state jumper in the game against Western Australia and playing key shutdown roles on the opposition's best key forward each week.
Jez McLennan was unlucky to miss out on selection at the AFL Mid-Season Draft following an excellent start to the year in defence, using his aerial skills to patrol the backline and expertly intercept opposition attacks.
Billy Iles has been critical in the Bulldogs' defence with his creativity and decision-making with ball in hand, ranking fourth in the competition for rebound 50s.
Forwards Aiden Grace and Jake Gasper will feature prominently in the voting, while Nick Lange has been a consistent contributor and valuable in attack and behind the ball.
Kade Ditmarr has been another shrewd recruit for the Bulldogs, averaging six tackles and five clearances per game.
Mani Liddy has shown noticeable improvement in his game so far this year, averaging 18 touches and five clearances as a ball-winning mid.
Kyle Presbury is enjoying more midfield time and has added a tougher edge to the Dogs' engine room, while Luca Whitelum has been dependable playing mostly in defence as a lockdown player.
Injury report:
The Bulldogs have endured a lengthy injury list for most of the year and it is not getting any healthier.
Jez McLennan missed the win over South Adelaide with an ankle injury and faces a fitness test before returning, as do Kyle Presbury and Dayne Posthuma.
Key defenders Luca Whitelum, George Kendall and Marcus Barreau all face another fortnight on the sidelines along with midfielder Leyton Chisolm.
Key forward pairing Ethan East and Dale Pearce will come back towards the end of the home and away season, while Billy McCormack is done for the year.
The run home:
The Bulldogs' next three games are all against bottom-five teams, two of which are at home.ย
They also have two games to play against Port Adelaide, presenting a potential percentage boost if they are good enough.
The run into September holds a few more challenges, facing Norwood at the Parade and Sturt at Unley as well as a clash with Glenelg.
