BULLDOGS BEAT DEMONS IN MAIN’S 100TH

SOUTH Fremantle continues to build some strong momentum this WAFL season with a third straight win in Saturday’s 39-point win at home to Perth in the 100th game for the Bulldogs of captain Dylan Main.

While Perth led by nine points at quarter-time at Fremantle Community Bank Oval in the Round 9 match up, the Demons had the breeze advantage in that first term and South Fremantle soon took over.

The Bulldogs kicked the only six goals in the second quarter and that set up the eventual 12.12 (84) to 6.9 (45) victory in the 100th game for the club of captain Dylan Main.

The win improved South Fremantle to a 6-3 record on the season in third position on the WAFL ladder while Perth has now lost five straight in second last place.

Jimmy Miller held down the fort as the main target in attack for South Fremantle in the continued absence of Mason Shaw and he kicked three goals from four kicks.

Jarrad Doney was the Bulldogs’ other multiple goalscorer with two goals to go with 18 possessions, six marks and five tackles.

The South Fremantle back-line was once again miserly giving up just six goals with Toby McQuilkin brilliant off half-back with another 31 possessions and nine marks while doing well defensively starting on Simon Hayward.

Blake Schlensog is also working his way back to form and fitness with 14 touches, five marks and four tackles with Chad Pearson having another 13 touches and five marks, Jordan Boullineau 13 disposals and five marks, and Noah Strom was rock solid defensively again.

Glenn Byron gathered 27 possessions and eight marks in a strong running performance for the Bulldogs while Haiden Schloithe ended up with 26 disposals, Steve Verrier 21, Tom Blechynden 20 and captain Dylan Main 20 in his 100th appearance for South Fremantle.

Hamish Free was dominant in the ruck contests racking up 60 hit outs for the afternoon.

It was a remarkable start to the game for South Fremantle and it took just 20 seconds for Jarrad Doney to start in the centre square, and then get forward to kick a goal.

Perth was able to steady from there and it was Marshall Jones who got them on the board to bring scores back level before Zac Strom kicked a second for the Bulldogs.

The Demons then finished the opening term well with the breeze behind their backs with goals to Kristian Cary and Kieran Hug to head into quarter-time leading by nine points.

South Fremantle responded quickly to start the second term with the advantage of the breeze and it took just three minutes for Jimmy Miller to kick his first goal of the day and bring the margin back to three points.

Haiden Schloithe kicked truly soon after to put the Bulldogs in front before Steve Verrier added another with a neat set shot finish.

Second-gamer Tyson Headland added another before Cam McCarthy and Miller closed the quarter with six goals to nil to head into the half-time break in control leading the Demons by 32 points.

It took 16 minutes for either team to manage a goal in the third quarter and when it came it was courtesy of emerging South Fremantle midfielder Doney to see the lead grow to 35 points.

Perth did get one back through Jones but that was their first goal in almost 60 minutes of game time and they were still 32 points behind by three quarter-time.

South Fremantle kicked the first couple of goals of the last term including one to returning skipper Dylan Main who was celebrating his 100th game for the Bulldogs.

While the Demons did manage a couple of late goals to Cary, South Fremantle cruised to the 12.12 (84) to 6.9 (45) win to make it three consecutive wins and hand Perth a fifth straight loss.

The day started at Fremantle Community Bank Oval with a colts thriller with Perth defeating South Fremantle 7.13 (55) to 8.4 (52).

Liam Brandis and Roan O’Hehir kicked two goals each for South Fremantle with the latter also racking up 28 possessions and seven tackles.

Christian Wilson also finished with 34 disposals for the Bulldogs, Chase Bourne 27, Jordan Rodriguez 22, Seth Connor 18 and Lachlan Turley 18 while Luke Rockley had 14 touches and 30 hit outs in the ruck.

The South Fremantle reserves also beat Perth 7.10 (52) to 4.3 (27) on Saturday at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.

Jack Blechynden kicked three goals for South Fremantle and Nathan Spooner two.

George Wessels amassed 29 disposals, Aiden Hall 22, Angus Fraser 21, Jaxon Bellchambers 20, Regan Ward 18 and Lachlan Blakiston 14 along with 37 hit outs in the ruck.

WAFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON – ROUND 9

SOUTH FREMANTLE        2.0    8.6    9.9    12.12 (84)
PERTH                3.3    3.4    4.7    6.9 (45)

SOUTH FREMANTLE: Goals – Miller 3; Doney 2; Donaldson, Main, McCarthy, Headland, Verrier, Schloithe, Z Strom.
Best – McQuilkin, Byron, Verrier, Schlensog, Schloithe, Doney, Main, Free.
PERTH: Goals – Cary 3; Jones 2; Hug.
Best – Avery, Taylor, Cary, Sing, Nicholas, Gray.