BULLDOGS OVERRUN BY FALCONS

FOR three quarters on Sunday at Joondalup, South Fremantle was in control of the contest against West Perth, but unfortunately, the Bulldogs were overrun in the last term to end up losing by 27 points.

South Fremantle kicked the only three goals of the first quarter against West Perth at Pentanet Stadium on Sunday in Round 9 of the WAFL.

The Bulldogs continued to dominate to lead by as much as 36 points in the second quarter as well to still be leading by 23 points at half-time, and by 14 points at three quarter-time.

However, the Falcons kicked the only six goals of the last quarter to end up beating the Bulldogs 12.14 (86) to 9.5 (59).

South Fremantle has generally enjoyed visiting Joondalup going back over the past 30 years and the Bulldogs started well again on Sunday with the first goal of the contest thanks to Zac Strom.

Manfred Kelly soon added another and then with Caleb Stephens also kicking truly, South Fremantle had the only three goals of the opening term to lead by 16 points at quarter-time.

West Perth did manage a first goal of the game to start the second stanza thanks to premiership youngster Joe Hinder, but the Bulldogs continued to have all the answers, and a couple of goals in succession to Brandon Donaldson saw their lead back out to 23 points.

Kelly then kicked his second of the day and Riley Colborne added another to suddenly see South Fremantle in a dominant position leading by 36 points.

West Perth needed to respond and the home team did with the last two goals of the half through Hinder and Noah Pegoraro but the Bulldogs were still in control leading by 23 points at the main break.

The Falcons did take charge for a lot of the third quarter with goals to Aaron Black, Luke Meadows, and Shane Nelson to close the margin to just two points, but the Bulldogs responded with two goals to Zac Strom to close the third term.

That saw South Fremantle clinging to a 14-point lead at the last change, but West Perth dominated the last quarter with the only six goals while holding the Bulldogs to just two behinds to see the Falcons end up winning by 27 points after early trailing by as much as 36.

Zac Strom kicked another three goals from full-forward for South Fremantle from seven kicks and six marks. Manfred Kelly and Brandon Donaldson also kicked two goals each for the Bulldogs.

Jake Florenca continued to be picking back up right where he left off in the midfield for South Fremantle racking up 30 possessions and 11 tackles in Sunday’s game.

Tom Blechynden also collected another 28 touches, Dylan Main 26, George Wessels 21, Chad Pearson 21, Toby McQuilkin 19 and Noah Strom did well holding Tyler Keitel to one goal, and Jarrod Salmeri kept Keegan Knott to one behind.

Meanwhile, in Round 9 of the Reserves West Perth scored the 13.8 (86) to 8.8 (56) victory at Pentanet Stadium.

Brock Higgins and Chase Bourne kicked two goals apiece for South Fremantle with Robbie Turnbull finishing with 19 disposals, Seth Connor 18, Aiden Hall 16 and Jacob Sax 15.

Then in Round 9 of the Colts, West Perth also downed South Fremantle 9.11 (65) to 6.5 (41).

Liam Brandis and Isaiah Hayden kicked two goals apiece for the Bulldogs while Callum Copeland racked up 26 possessions, Liam Piper 21, Brandis 19, Rhyder James 17, and Josh Taylor-Thorpe 16 to go with 11 marks.

WAFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON – ROUND 9

SOUTH FREMANTLE        3.1    7.3    9.3    9.5    (59)
WEST PERTH            0.3    3.4    6.7    12.14    (86)

SOUTH FREMANTLE – Goals: Z Strom 3; Kelly, Donaldson 2; Colborne, Stephens.
Best: Florenca, Blechynden, N Strom, Main, Pearson, Salmeri, Wessels.
WEST PERTH – Goals: Black 3; Pegoraro, Hinder 2; Meadows, Murray, Nelson, Dobson, Keitel.
Best: Nelson, Black, Guadagnin, Murray, Hinder, Todd, Meadows, Moulton.