CENTRAL District came crashing back to Earth after it was comfortably defeated by South Adelaide by five goals in SANFL action on Saturday.

The Bulldogs opened the scoring through Luke Habel, but the Panthers showcased their abilities by booting the next five goals before quarter-time.

Ben Heaslip, Sam Overall, Liam Fitt, Abe Davis and Joel Cross all kicked majors for South, as it took a 23-point lead into the first change.

The Panthers continued from where they left off to start the second stanza, with Davis and Overall adding their seconds, and Nick Liddle kicking his first.

South led by 41 points at half-time, while also keeping the Dogs to just one goal for the opening half.

Central emerged from the half-time break looking like a different side, as it kicked the first five goals of the third quarter.

Fraser Fort, Corey Durdin, Jon Marsh, Travis Schiller and Justin Hoskin booted majors to cut the deficit to 14 points.

However, Fitt kicked a goal late in the third term to crush the Bulldogs’ comeback, and ensure his side led by 21 points at the final change.

Troy Menzel kicked one more goal for the Bulldogs in the last quarter, but it was too little, too late.

Travis Schiller had 29 touches, six marks and eight tackles on top of his goal, while Jarrod Schiller had 25 disposals and four tackles.

Trent Goodrem was also admirable with 21 touches and eight tackles.