BULLDOGS CLAIM 1-PT THRILLER OVER SWANS

SOUTH Fremantle made it nine straight wins at home against Swan Districts thanks to kicking the last two goals of the game to win by a point at Fremantle Community Bank Oval on Saturday.

The Bulldogs had to come back from trailing by 13 points early in the fourth quarter, but captain Dylan Main and fifth-gamer Tyson Headland stepped up for the last two goals of the contest.

That saw South Fremantle claim the 7.14 (56) to 8.7 (55) victory to make it nine in-a-row on home soil against Swan Districts dating back to 2014.

It also gives the Bulldogs consecutive wins this season to improve to an 8-4 record on the season heading into this Saturday’s massive clash with the top-of-the-table East Fremantle at the WACA Ground.

Brendon Ah Chee continues to thrive on getting to spend more time as a permanent midfielder this season with South Fremantle. He produced a standout showing on Saturday with 30 possessions, seven marks and two goals.

Tom Blechynden also gathered a career-best 39 possessions for South Fremantle while Haiden Schloithe continued his terrific form with another 31 disposals, seven marks and seven tackles.

The South Fremantle back-line was again superb led by Noah Strom who held Chris Jones to three kicks and one behind while Toby McQuilkin racked up 28 touches (11 marks), Chad Pearson 22 (12 tackles), Josh Cuneo 17 and Aiden Hall 15.

Hamish Free amassed 46 hit outs in the ruck while Nick Suban had 17 touches and five tackles, and Steve Verrier 17 touches and five marks.

South Fremantle got off to a flying start with a goal to Nick Suban inside two minutes, but it would be more than a quarter before the home team managed another goal.

In the meantime, Swan Districts got on the board courtesy of Brayden Noble before he added a second at the 10-minute mark after taking a strong contested grab on the goal line.

Jarvis Pina then managed to convert the first goal of his 26-game WAFL career and Swan Districts went into quarter-time at a venue they hadn’t won at in eight years with the 10-point advantage.

It was Brendon Ah Chee that kicked South Fremantle’s second goal of the game at the six-minute mark of the second term before Caleb Datson added another and that put the Bulldogs back in front.

It wouldn’t last long with Swans getting one back through Sam Fisher but then after the half-time siren, Jimmy Miller kicked truly and the Bulldogs took a four-point lead into the major break.

Fisher opened up the second half with his second goal of the day to put Swans back in front and then Lachlan Riley added another for the black-and-whites, and Tom Edwards did the same.

That put Swans 13 points in front and the possibility of the first win at nine attempts at the port was a distinct possibility. However, Ah Chee’s second goal for South Fremantle just before three quarter-time had the home team back within six points at the last change.

Then six minutes into the last term and Greg Ottaviano kicked a goal that put Swans back out to a 14-point lead again, and then Tony Stephens produced the most inspirational of chase down tackles to deny Datson a second goal for South Fremantle.

Swans had all the momentum but the Bulldogs were able to stem the tide and captain Dylan Main kicked a goal that made it a six-point game once more.

It was then small forward Tyson Headland who proved the hero in his fifth game for the Bulldogs as he kicked his third goal to deliver the match-winner at the 20-minute mark and South Fremantle went on to win 7.14 (56) 8.7 (55).

Starting the day at Fremantle Community Bank Oval, South Fremantle’s colts held on in a thriller against Swan Districts to win 11.6 (72) to 10.7 (67).

Liam Brandis kicked five goals in the win for the Bulldogs and Ed Graham three while Christian Wilson racked up 34 possessions, Jordan Rodriguez 24, Jordan Douglas 21, Jaren Carr 18, Aidan Sheppard 16 and Lachlan Turley 16.

South Fremantle’s reserves also defeated Swan Districts 12.10 (82) to 8.5 (53) on Saturday.

Jermaine Pickett and Jake Hinder kicked three goals each while Mason Shaw finished with 26 possessions, 14 marks and a goal.

Angus Fraser also collected 32 touches, Aaron Drage 23, Ben Rioli 22, Jarrod Salmeri 22, Roan O’Hehir 22, Toby Dodds 18 and Lachlan Blakiston 12 to go with 27 hit outs.

WAFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON – ROUND 13

SOUTH FREMANTLE        1.2    4.6    5.9    7.14 (56)
SWAN DISTRICTS        3.0    4.2    7.3    8.7 (55)

SOUTH FREMANTLE: Goals – Ah Chee 2; Suban, Main, Miller, Datson, Headland.
Best – Blechynden, Ah Chee, Schloithe, N Strom, McQuilkin, Pearson, Suban, Verrier.
SWAN DISTRICTS: Goals – Fisher, Noble 2; Riley Pina, Ottaviano, Edwards.
Best – Fisher, Turner, Fisher, Ireland, Notte, Stephens, O’Donohue, Pina.