BULLDOGS BEAT LIONS WITH LAST THREE GOALS

SOUTH Fremantle had to come from behind but kicked the game’s last three goals to beat Subiaco by eight points in Saturday’s Grand Final rematch at Leederville Oval.

The two teams have shared the last four WAFL premierships and played one another in the 2019 and 2021 Grand Finals so it was an ideal way to start the new season at Leederville Oval on Saturday.

Subiaco marked the occasion by raising their 2021 premiership banner as well and did appear on target for a Round 1 win for much of the afternoon.

However, South Fremantle kicked the last goal of the third quarter and then the only two goals of the final term to end up winning 8.7 (55) to 6.11 (47).

Zac Strom kicked two goals for South Fremantle to go with 18 possessions and six marks for the match while Jake Florenca was outstanding with 28 disposals, eight tackles, six marks and two goals.

Chad Pearson started the new season impressively as well with 26 disposals for the Bulldogs while Toby McQuilkin had 25 touches and debutant Steely Green 25 to go with five tackles.

Hamish Free battled tirelessly in the ruck with 19 possessions and 34 hit outs with Haiden Schloithe also finished with 20 disposals for South Fremantle, Tom Blechynden 20, Jimmy Miller 17 and former Peel player Jordan Boullineau 17.

Subiaco had the breeze behind its back in the opening quarter and took advantage starting with an early goal to debutant Corey Robinson. Jordan Faraone then ensured the Lions kicked the first two goals of the game before South Fremantle captain Dylan Main kept his side in touch.

Former teammates Ben Sokol and Zac Strom then traded goals before quarter-time where Subiaco held a nine-point advantage.

South Fremantle picked up the advantage of the breeze for the second term and Strom brought them back within three points with his second goal already in the game. Sokol responded for the Lions as did Noah Ash and the reigning premiers were back out to a 15-point edge.

That grew to as much as 15 but a couple of late Bulldogs goals to Glenn Byron and Jake Florenca made it a one-point ball game by the half-time break.

With the breeze back behind them, Subiaco managed to have the opening four scoring shots including a goal to Ryan Borchet. Mason Shawn responded for South Fremantle and the game was up for grabs with Subiaco holding a four-point three quarter-time advantage.

Ther were only two scoring shots in all of the final term and they were both goals to South Fremantle courtesy of Caleb Datson and Jake Florenca to see the Bulldogs claim the eight-point win on the back of kicking the game’s final three goals.

South Fremantle’s reserves also delivered an impressive Round 1 performance to beat Subiaco 15.12 (102) to 7.3 (45) at Leederville Oval on Saturday.

Ben Pears kicked three goals for the Bulldogs with two each to George Wessels, Manfred Kelly, Cam McCarthy and Darryl Anderson.

Steve Verrier racked up 25 possessions for South Fremantle, Jacob Sax 24, Jarrad Doney 23, Wessels 20 and Solomon James 19 to go with 30 hit outs in the ruck.

And in the colts contest to start the day at Leederville Oval, it was Subiaco defeating South Fremantle 14.13 (97) to 5.15 (45).

Liam Brandis kicked three goals for South Fremantle while Seth Connor racked up 32 possessions, Roan O’Hehir 30, Christian Wilson 24 and Brandon Shepherd 18.

WAFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON – ROUND 1

SOUTH FREMANTLE        2.2    5.6    6.7    8.7 (55)
SUBIACO            3.5    5.7    6.11    6.11 (47)

SOUTH FREMANTLE: Goals – Florenca, Z Strom 2; Byron, Main, Shaw, Datson.
Best – Florenca, Pearson, McQuilkin, Z Strom, Green, Free, Schloithe.
SUBIACO: Goals – Sokol 2; Borchet, Robinson, Ash, Faraone.
Best – Giro, Kitchin, Golding, Clinch, Stainsby, Sokol, Bailey Matera.