Bulldogs colts one step closer to another grand final

SOUTH Fremantle’s colts are one step away from a fourth straight WAFL grand final after coming from behind to beat East Perth in Sunday’s first semi-final at Medibank Stadium.

South Fremantle’s colts have played in the last three grand finals for premiership wins in 2011 and 2012, and now have the chance to win through to another after booking a preliminary final berth with a win over East Perth on Sunday.

Despite trailing by two goals at half-time, South Fremantle kicked eight goals to three in the second half to end up winning 11.10 (76) to 8.7 (55).

That now sets up a preliminary final contest, and grand final rematch from last year, with Claremont this Sunday back at Leederville’s Medibank Stadium with the winner to then face Swan Districts in the grand final on Sunday September 21 at Patersons Stadium.

South Fremantle’s colts team was boosted with the return of Jarrod Pickett, Bailey Matera, Jarrod Garlett, Jacob Dragovich, Jack McMaster, Grant McLeod and James Culleton from having played either league or reserves football in the back half of the season.

And Dragovich delivered a best on ground performance in the first semi-final finishing with 29 possessions, six marks, five tackles and two goals.

Ruckman Billy Frampton wasn’t far behind ending the match with 15 disposals, five marks, 21 hit outs and two goals as well.

Pickett and Kade Stewart also both kicked two goals each for the Bulldogs.

Matthew Ah Siu was terrific ending up with 24 possessions, five tackles and four inside-50 entries while Matera had 20 touches, Braden Fimmano 18, Jye Depane 16, Joel McComb 15, Dylan Brown 15 and Brad McPhail 15.

The wind played a significant factor in the contest at the Leederville venue on Sunday morning with South Fremantle kicking with the advantage of it in the first quarter, and leading by eight points at quarter-time.

However, East Perth hit back in the second term with four goals to one to hold a 12-point lead at the main break.

South Fremantle was able to turn that around with the aid of the breeze in the third quarter with the only four goals of the term to hold a handy 17-point advantage at the last change.

However, the game was still up for grabs with East Perth having the wind, but South Fremantle stood firm with four goals to three to end up winning by 21 points to advance to this Sunday’s preliminary final against Claremont.

SOUTH FREMANTLE        2.3    3.3    7.9    11.10    (76)
EAST PERTH            1.1    5.3    5.4    8.7    (55)

SOUTH FREMANTLE – Goals: Stewart, Pickett, Dragovich, Frampton 2; Loersch, Doubikin, Ah Chee.
Best: Dragovich, Frampton, Ah Siu, Truss, Stewart, Fimmano, Matera.
EAST PERTH – Goals: Bayok 2; Miller, Kalimeris, Young, Ipsen, Keitel, Smith.
Best: Zambotto, Hille, Della Franca, Anderson.