Two ex-Dogs enjoyed a dream day out against their former club in Saturday’s SANFL Elimination Final.

Former Central District pair Wayne Milera Junior and Troy Menzel were the early catalysts behind the Club’s historic 72-point victory over the Bulldogs.

The pair couldn’t be contained by their ex-teammates at Adelaide Oval. Milera and Menzel combined with fellow hard-running Crow Riley Knight to put through the opening goal of the match, with the duo responsible for three of the first four goals of the game.

The pair ended up sharing 45 possessions and five goals between them to be arguably the most influential players on the ground.

While admitting there was some early banter with his ex-teammates, Milera did his best to play his natural game.

“There was a little bit (of banter) out there, but not too much though,” he said.

“I guess we just used our strengths and our ability to run. We tried to stick to what we’re good at.

“It was good for both of us to have a good game. But I don’t think they’ll (Centrals) be too happy with that!”

Match report: Crows crush Bulldogs

Milera, who turns 19 this month, seems to flourish rather than flounder on the big stage.

The exciting youngster kicked three goals for the Bulldogs in Central’s clutch Semi-Final win over Port Adelaide last year. Milera also impressed in his AFL debut against North Melbourne and has eight senior games to his name already.

Milera’s class was again on show in front of another vocal crowd at Adelaide Oval on Saturday. He slotted an incredible set shot from deep in the south-western pocket early in the third term to snuff out any chance of a second-half Central District comeback.


The talented teen said it was a valuable opportunity for Adelaide’s young charges to perform in the heat of finals.

“It’s good, you play in front of smaller crowds during the regular season for the SANFL, but for more people to come out to Adelaide Oval is just good experience for all the boys,” Milera said.

“It’s a pretty young group which is good. Hopefully we can stay together and put pressure on the AFL boys.

“There was no AFL this week so it was good to see some Crows colours in the crowd too.”

SANFL Stats: Elimination Final

Saturday’s result cut a five-game losing streak for the SANFL Crows against Central District, which included a record-breaking 55-point loss to the Bulldogs in their previous meeting.

Adelaide will need to overturn another poor recent record when it confronts South Adelaide in next Sunday’s Semi-Final.

The Panthers defeated Adelaide by 38 points in the final round of the home and away season in their last contest. South also completed an astounding come-from-behind victory to upset the Crows by one point with the last kick of the day earlier in the year.

Sunday’s Semi-Final kicks off at 12.10pm at Adelaide Oval.