Glenelg are through to another SANFL grand final as their dream of a fairytale premiership defence remains alive, while the Bulldogs' spirited finals assault ran out of steam.
Read all about it in this week's SANFL wrap.
Central District 8.12.(60) def by Glenelg 15.8.(98)
Glenelg have qualified for their fourth grand final in six years after casting aside Central District by 38 points in the preliminary final on Sunday.
The Tigers will meet Norwood next Sunday for a shot at back-to-back premierships, having progressed from the elimination final.
Central District's terrific campaign has ended one step short of their first grand final since 2011 but will lose no admirers heading into next season.
While their trademark effort and intensity could not be questioned, having won the tackle and clearance count, the Bulldogs lacked polish with ball in hand, going at 63% disposal efficiency to the Tigers' 72%.
In particular, the Dogs were untidy with several of their inside 50 entries and gifted the ball directly to their Glenelg opponents with poor ball use and decision-making under pressure.
Meanwhile, the Tigers were far more clinical with the ball and were able to link up with strong run and carry to maintain possession and give their forwards quality looks on goal.
Glenelg enjoyed the better start and kicked the only three goals of the opening term, defending strongly to deny Central any easy ball movement.
The Bulldogs were sparked into life with two goals in as many minutes from Isaiah Dudley in the second quarter, who created chances out of nothing with his speed and skill.
The most accurate team in the league throughout the season, Central's goalkicking radar went missing when it was needed most, failing to make further inroads on the deficit by kicking 4.5 for the quarter.
Beau Thomas reduced the margin to just one point early in the third, but that was as close as Central got as Glenelg pulled away with nine of the last 12 goals to round out the contest.
Glenelg were buoyed by the triumphant return of Jack Oatey medallist Lachlan Hosie, who kicked four goals in a typically dynamic performance and could have had more if not for inaccuracy.
Captain Liam McBean was also instrumental in kicking four goals and provided an excellent aerial presence, while Will Chandler snared his opportunities in front of the sticks to finish with two.
Small forwards Hunter Window and Archie Lovelock were pivotal with their forward line pressure and work rate up the ground to get involved in transition, while Window kept the Bulldogs' defensive playmaker Billy Iles accountable.
Billy Stretch (17 disposals and a goal) played more as a forward and paid close attention to Central defender Jez McLennan, limiting his intercept work.
Former Sydney Swan James Bell (24 disposals, 10 tackles and six clearances) was a major contributor with his burst from stoppage and creative ball use, while Matthew Snook (25 disposals and six clearances) did much of the grunt work in the clinches.
Corey Lyons (23 disposals and six clearances) and Matthew Allen (22 disposals and a goal) were key attacking weapons throughout.
Max Proud (12 disposals and seven marks) led the way in defence and was almost impassable in the marking contests, while ex-St Kilda defender Oscar Adams played a terrific game on Aiden Grace and kept him to just five touches and a goal.
Will Gould (19 disposals) returned after pulling out of last week's game with back spasms and completely shut down Hugo Munn, while Alex Martini quelled the dangerous Dudley outside of his quick burst in the second quarter.
Darcy Bailey (15 disposals and seven rebound 50s) and Jonty Scharenberg (16 disposals and five marks) were important rebounding influences and launched countless attacks.
Although an ultimately disappointing end to their season, the Bulldogs can take solace in the performances of several key players that could drive them to greater heights in 2025.
Kade Dittmar (16 disposals, eight clearances and 12 tackles) stamped himself as one of the recruits of the season with his toughness and ability to win the ball in the clinches.
Leyton Chisolm (17 touches and seven tackles) went head-to-head with James Bell and had positive moments, while first-year rookie Dyson Sharp showed physicality beyond his years in laying 12 tackles.
Kai Pudney (21 disposals and a goal) worked hard on the wing and found plenty of the ball, although his disposal let him down on some occasions.
Harvey Howe (17 disposals, 28 hitouts and eight clearances) played one of his best games for the Bulldogs in the ruck and provided solid service to his midfield brigade.
Beau Thomas (two goals and four contested marks) was a genuine presence in the aerial contests and took a handful of strong marks against tough opposition in Max Proud.
Rhett Montgomerie (17 disposals and nine marks) read the play superbly across the backline to reel in several saving intercept marks.
Dayne Posthuma continued his excellent run of form and again did the job on Luke Reynolds to keep him largely out of the game.
