Paul Thomas and Matthew Slade celebrate the 2009 grand final win
The Decade of Dominance is a term coined by the Central District Football Club that signifies the Bulldogs string of success between 2000 and 2010. During these years, the Bulldogs appeared in every single grand final and winning most of them except 2002 and 2006 to Sturt and Woodville-West Torrens, retrospectively. Central District also appeared in the 2011 grand final but lost to Woodville-West Torrens. Only two players have played in every grand final during this time and are identical twins, James and Chris Gowans.
Central's History[]
Before being allowed to play League football, the Bulldogs were to play five years of reserves (1959-1963). Since their league debut in 1964, the Bulldogs were at times competitive but never winning a premiership until 2000. Notable early success came in 1971 and 1972 were the Bulldogs came close in playing their first grand final but lost to Port Adelaide in 1972 by 6 points. They made their first appearance in a grand final in 1995 under Alan Stewart, Central District would lose to Port Adelaide. The following year under new coach Stephen Wright the Bulldogs won the minor premiership and lost again to Port Adelaide in the Grand Final as a shock loss. The Bulldogs made the finals in 1997 and 1998 but made no finals appearance in 1999. Although the Bulldogs had a string of failures they had very talented players like Roger Girdham, Danny Hulm, Rick Macgowan, Damian Arnold, Michael Wakelin, Marco Bello, Steven Schwerdt, Brian Haraida, Craig Potter, Scott Lee, Damien Hicks and Tim Cook.
2000 and 2001[]
The Bulldogs were adamant to win a premiership and went on a recruiting campaign. They secured AFL players Kynan Ford, James and Chris Gowans from St. Kilda and old Bulldog Daniel Healy also from the Saints as well as Danny Stephens from North Melbourne. Under the captaincy of Daniel Hulm and coach Peter Jonas, Central District won their first premiership in 2000 against Woodville-West Torrens. Jack Oatey Medalist James Gowans said
"It's unbelievable, after six straight senior grand finals, (twin brother) Chris and I have finally played in a premiership team. "I've only been here five minutes, but I know this premiership means everything to the club, we actually have a history now. I don't know what it looked like to the spectators, but it was really hard in tight."
Captain Danny Hulm said
"I am so proud of my boys, that represents the spirit, that represents the character of the northern suburbs. This is for our community. We'll see you all out there tonight to enjoy it. I'd like to say to my boys, I love these boys, they give me all the love back. We put the runs on the board, and we are going to enjoy this. The last thing I'd like to say, thankyou to all the officials, to all the board members, to Scott Lee, to Michael Wakelin, to Tim Cook, to Justin Casserly, we are a club, and we will go on."
Sources[]
http://www.cdfc.com.au/about-cdfc-2/bulldog-history/
http://www.cdfc.com.au/decade-of-dominance/2000-sanfl-grand-final