IN this week’s Sports Flashback from September 13, 2000, the Central District Football Club claimed the first premiership in club history, ending the drought that had marred the club since debuting in 1964.

Coming up against Woodville-West Torrens, the Bulldogs were extremely tight in defence in front of the near-35,000 strong crowd, conceding only 5.8 while registering 8.13 itself to run out 77-38 winners.

Stories from the day tell of grown men crying, with screaming mayors in attendance and more than 25,000 Bulldogs fans in raptures.

Then-Mayor of Playford, Marilyn Baker, spoke about the unique atmosphere.

“The feel at Football Park was absolutely electric – it was euphoric,” she said.

“I was expecting a lot more noise, but everybody was just walking around smiling… it was really great.

“It’s an enormous boost for the community, both morally and economically… no one can say we’re the Cinderella team any longer.”

It would be the start of an incredible 21st century for the club, as it won eight of the next 10 premierships, and reached 12 consecutive grand finals in one of the greatest club-football dynasties in Australian history.

The run included a back-to-back (2000, 2001), a three-peat (2003, 2004 and 2005) and a four-peat (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010).
For the Eagles, this was one of five grand final losses between 1994 and 2005, with four coming to Central District, before finally snatching one back in 2006.