1984). The following week Centrals after trailing by 19pts at 3 quarter time defeated the 1979 losing Grand Finalists South Adelaide by 1 pt. After two thrilling games to start the 1980s the rest of the decade entered into disappointment as Centrals failed to win any finals game after qualifying for the finals series under 3 different coaches – Daryl Hicks 1982, Kevin Neale 1984 and Neil Kerley in 1988 and 1989. In 1984, Kevin Cowboy Neale a former St Kilda Premiership player from 1966 replaced Daryl Hicks as Coach. In one of its best ever Minor Seasons Neale coached Central District to 3rd place in the minor round in 1984 just 1 win of top position with 16 wins and 6 losses (Which was a better record than 1979 and included 2 wins over Norwood that season's premiers – Rd2 by 43 pts and Rd14 by 95 pts). The minor round was competitive all year. At the end of Round 17 the Bulldogs were on top of the ladder but dropped to 3rd after losses to Port Adelaide in Rd 18 and Glenelg in Rd 19. Round 20 with two rounds left the top 3 teams were only separated by 1 win and very little percentage (Port 15 wins 54.96% , Glenelg 15 wins 54.80%, Centrals 14 wins 54.44%, South 13 wins 55.44% and Norwood 5th with 11 wins). However, despite leading at 1/4 time the Bulldogs again lost both finals (like in 1979) this time the Qualifying Final to Glenelg by 48pts and the 1st Semi Final to Norwood by 13 pts to finish in 4th. (Whilst Norwood went from 5th place and took out their 2nd flag within 3 years). The next 3 seasons the club failed to qualify for the finals under Neale finishing in 6th in 1985 and 1986 and then 8th place in 1987. In 1988, Neil Kerley was appointed Coach. The club finished the minor round in 2nd place in 1988 (15 wins and 1 draw just the 1/2 game behind Port Adelaide after being at the top of the ladder after Round 19. Loses to Woodville in Rd 20 and Port Adelaide in Rd21 cost the club the minor premiership). The Bulldogs again lost both finals in 1988 and 1989 and finished in 4th place. Again it then dropped out of the top 5 and finished 7th in 1990. The club lost