CENTRAL District will enter 2026 with a new look and renewed optimism that the Bulldogs can return to the finals series. The 2023 SANFLW premier missed the post-season last year, and having recruited a couple of key players alongside a returning stalwart and former coach, Central District looms as a team to watch this year.

LAST SEASON

Central District ended the year having fallen short of reaching finals by just a win. Despite boasting a percentage far higher than fourth placed Sturt, losing eight out of nine games mid-season ultimately killed the Dogs’ chances. They won five of their six games at the bookends of 2025, but ultimately the 6-8 win-loss record would not be enough.

2026 FIXTURE:

Round 1: vs. North Adelaide | April 18 @ Maughan Thiem Kia Oval
Round 2: vs. South Adelaide | April 25 @ X Convenience Oval
Round 3: vs. Woodville-West Torrens | May 2 @ Coopers Stadium*
Round 4: vs. Glenelg | May 9 @ X Convenience Oval*
Round 5: vs. Sturt | May 23 @ Thomas Farms Oval
Round 6: vs. Norwood | May 30 @ Thomas Farms Oval*
Round 7: vs. Woodville-West Torrens | June 6 @ Maughan Thiem Kia Oval
Round 8: vs. North Adelaide | June 20 @ Revo Fitness Oval*
Round 9: vs. West Adelaide | June 27 @ X Convenience Oval
Round 10: vs. South Adelaide | July 4 @ Stratarama Stadium*
Round 11: vs. Norwood | July 18 @ Coopers Stadium
Round 12: vs. West Adelaide | July 25 @ Richmond Oval*
Round 13: vs. Sturt | August 1 @ X Convenience Oval
Round 14: vs. Glenelg | August 8 @ Stratarama Stadium

* Denotes full-league four-game day at one venue

CHANGES

Perhaps the biggest chance has come in the coach’s box with inaugural leader Shaun Ribbons returning to The Ponderosa to replace premiership mentor Ben Hunt who departed the club and will now coach Norwood. Ribbons is not the only familiar face back at Elizabeth, with premiership skipper Shelby Smith returning from maternity leave to take up her spot with the Dogs. A dearly loved player and leader, Smith was sorely missed in 2025.

Alongside Smith, the Bulldogs have picked up a couple of handy types in NSW-ACT talents Ella Randall and Aoife Berry. Randall represented the Allies last season and can hold down a spot on the wing, with the Giants Academy member likely to provide plenty of dash. Also adding some X-factor into the side is the dynamic Berry who won UTS Bats’ Best and Fairest award last season and has already adapted to South Australian footy through the AAMI Talent League.

Central District has lost some height over the off-season with veteran full-back Liz Wilson retiring and Amy Gaedtke joining Hunt at the Redlegs. Defender Demi Sonneman has also retired, while the classy Sophie Eaton joined past Bulldog Jasmine Evans at Port Adelaide AFLW.

DRAFT WATCH

Central District has been a haven for good young talent in recent years, with Eaton and Evans just a couple of the star talents to roll through the Ponderosa. The latest in line is National Academy member Miyu Endersby. She will likely play between centre half-back and ruck for the Bulldogs this season, filling those key holes left by the departing players.

Members of the South Australian squad last year and each getting a game at the national championships, the Bulldogs have former softballer Tara Lord who has found her place up forward, while Jyearah Newchurch has some serious X-factor at her feet and working up the ground. The duo join smart forward/midfielder Demi Holloway and defender Alana Evans – sister of Jasmine – as top-age names to note down.

Dogs fans will be thrilled they still have two more seasons of left-footed star Charlotte Maurits, with the classy midfielder/forward among the top players in the 2027 AFLW Draft. Maurits oozes X-factor and will be a key prospect in linking between midfield and attack.

OTHERS TO WATCH

Any team that has Katelyn Rosenzweig up forward is always going to be a threat, and when the full-forward is on, she is near-impossible to stop. At times she can do the impossible, and while her radar at times can be a little hit and miss, is arguably the best contested mark in the competition, and is the all-time leading goalkicker at SANFLW level.

After being co-captain last season, sole Bulldogs captain Laitiah Huynh has carved out a really impressive state league career. Now on the verge of representing the Croweaters for another campaign, Huynh thrives as a leader at Elizabeth. She and fellow past Under 18s state representative Dakota Williams lead by example, while the defensive pair of Georgia Madigan and Madison Lane are crucial to the team’s set up.

PREDICTION

It will be an interesting year for Central District because they will bring in some fresh faces, and will likely have plenty of change to the gameplan and overall lineup. The Bulldogs have enough quality that at a bare minimum Central District will compete for a finals place, and if they can convert close losses into wins, it will be the tipping point. They should see post-season action once again.