Fighting Bulldogs can't quite topple Tigers

SOUTH Fremantle stormed home with a blistering third quarter and strong final term but just fell four points short of ladder leaders Claremont at Fremantle Oval on Saturday.

The Tigers came into the contest having won the last two WAFL premierships, finishing as minor premiers the last three years and remaining on top of the ladder this year having lost just once to date.

Claremont then took control of the contest in the second quarter to lead by 34 points at half-time, but South Fremantle came out from the main break an inspired outfit kicking the only six goals of the third quarter.

The Bulldogs then also got the first major of the last term to suddenly hit the front and have all the momentum, but Claremont doesn’t have the recent record that it does for no reason and steadied just enough to prevail in the end, 13.16 (94) to 14.6 (90).

Not only did South Fremantle show great fighting qualities to come back from the near six-goal half-time deficit to hit the front in the last quarter, but the Bulldogs also did it without ruckman Sean Tighe who missed his first game since joining the club at the start of the 2012 season.

In his absence, debutant Zac Strom and Alistair Gillespie did the best they could but it always a big ask up against Mark Seaby and Mitch Andrews, However, the Bulldogs pair tried hard with Gillespie finishing with 12 touches and 10 hit outs, and Strom six and nine.

Mitch Banner continued his tremendous first season for South Fremantle coming off Port Adelaide's AFL list kicking another three goals to go with 27 possessions, seven marks and four tackles.

Just a week after bringing up his 150th game for the club, Craig White gave tremendous run and carry to constantly set up play off the half-back line for the Bulldogs finishing with 25 disposals, eight marks and three inside 50s.

Dylan Ross also had 22 touches down back with Adam McIntosh racking up 21, Mitch Carter 20 and Adam Carter 19.

Haiden Schloithe found some form in his second game back from a calf injury picking up 24 possessions while also laying nine tackles with captain Ryan Cook picking up 22 touches.

Toby Bairstow gathered 19 possessions, Tim Kelly gathered 18, Brendan Verrier 18, Kris Miller 18 and Jacob Martinez 17.

Up forward, Ashton Hams and Paul Mugambwa both kicked three goals for South Fremantle.

South Fremantle's reserves recorded a 21-point win over Claremont with John Sgherza kicking three goals from 20 possessions and six marks. Marlon Pickett also booted two majors as did Kingsley Smith.

Jarrad Winter racked up 33 possessions, six inside 50s and a goal with Reece Adams finishing with 27 disposals, James Laurino 20 and Warrick Andreoli 19.

The South Fremantle colts started the day off perfectly with a 51-point win over Claremont with Willie Rioli kicking three goals and Matthew Ah Siu two with Jacob Dragovich racking up 27 possessions, Billy Collier 21, Matthew Nicholson 18 and Traye Bennell 18.

SOUTH FREMANTLE 2.4 4.4 10.6 14.6 (90)

CLAREMONT 4.2 9.8 9.12 13.16 (94)

SOUTH FREMANTLE – Goals: Hams, Mugambwa, Banner 3; Miller, M Carter, McIntosh, Kelly.

Best: Banner, Schloithe, White, Ross, M Carter, McIntosh, Cook.

CLAREMONT – Goals: Bradshaw 6; Medhurst, Browne, Fong, Jones, Hamp, Seaby, Taylor.

Best: Bradshaw, Browne, Murphy, Seaby, Daniher, Davies.

By Chris Pike