Bulldogs fall away against in-form Lions

SOUTH Fremantle had its chances to put a good score on the board through the first three quarters against Subiaco at Leederville’s Medibank Stadium, but couldn’t and then the Lions turned it on with a run of nine straight goals to win by 53 points.

The Bulldogs came into the game coming off their best performance of the season with a thumping 67-point win over East Fremantle in last Sunday’s Foundation Derby, but Subiaco was in hot form as well having handed Claremont its first loss of the 2013 season also last Sunday.

That meant that it was a battle of two in-form teams at Medibank Stadium on Saturday even though both occupied spots near the bottom of the WAFL ladder.

Subiaco kicked the first two goals of the game, but then South Fremantle worked into the contest nicely with a goal to Kris Miller and then to Mitch Banner 15 minutes later.

The Bulldogs blew plenty more chances on goal throughout the mid-stages of the quarter, but inaccurate kicking came back to bite with Subiaco going into quarter-time with a two-point lead after a goal just before the break to Michael Wood.

The Lions again started the second term strongly with the first two goals, but the Bulldogs steadied mid quarter. Goals to defender Adam McIntosh, John Sgherza and Banner took South Fremantle from 15 points behind to two points in front just before half-time.

Subiaco did enter the main break two points in front after a late goal to Andrew McDougall, but things were right in the balance at the main break.

It took almost 25 minutes of the third quarter for the first goal to be scored, but South Fremantle was in complete control of play for the majority of that time and had numerous moves inside the forward 50 that should have resulted in goals, but didn’t either because the last pass inside-50 wasn’t up to standard or the shot on goal itself was off target.

Subiaco hung in there and then eventually went down the other end to kick two quick goals just before three quarter-time to lead by 15 points at the last change.

The Bulldogs remained a chance at the last change if they got the first goal of the final term, but it didn’t happen with Subiaco piling on the first seven to lead by as much as 63 points.

Adam Guglielmana kicked two consolation goals but all that did was bring the final margin to 53 points.

Jacob Martinez was once again South Fremantle’s hardest and most consistent contributor throughout the four quarters. The 20-year-old picked up 20 possessions to go with nine tackles, six clearances, three inside-50 entries and two rebounds from the defensive 50.

He also had a good battle with prolific Subiaco ball-winner Jason Bristow restricting his influence to a below average 19 possessions and two goals.

Banner worked hard for 23 possessions and kicked two first half goals while Toby Bairstow finished with 20 disposals, four clearances and five inside-50 entries.

Ruckman Sean Tighe hurt his ankle in last week’s win over East Fremantle and battled manfully despite still being hobbled, and was the best big man on the field with 20 possessions, 24 hit outs and seven clearances.

Adam Carter was solid in the back-line picking up 17 touches, five marks and four rebound 50s.

Dylan Ross continued his good form at centre half-back for the Bulldogs getting the better of his battle with state player Clancy Wheeler.

Third-gamer Tim Kelly was another to show encouraging signs for the Bulldogs finishing with 16 possessions, five tackles, five clearances and four inside 50s.

South Fremantle’s reserves also had a match to forget losing to Subiaco by 94 points.

Kaiden Matera made the most of his chances with five goals from nine kicks while Marcus Cronan also kicked three goals.

Brendan Verrier picked up 26 possessions, James Laurino 24 and Jarrod Parry 21.

Anthony Collica made a return from injury and picked up 13 disposals.

The Bulldogs’ colts did have a win, though, beating the Lions by 26 points.

Jayden D’Vauz kicked four goals for South Fremantle with Tim Stewart racking up 35 possessions, Jakeb Tartaglia 29, Jacob Dragovich 26, Oliver Sexton 23 (and two goals), Braden Fimmano 23 and Bailey Matera 23.

SOUTH FREMANTLE 2.6 5.8 5.11 7.11 (53)

SUBIACO 3.2 6.4 8.8 15.16 (106)

SOUTH FREMANTLE – Goals: Guglielmana, Banner 2; McIntosh, Sgherza, Miller.

Best: Martinez, Tighe, Banner, Ross, Kelly, A Carter.

SUBIACO – Goals: Wood 4; McDougall, Stevenson, Nicoski, Bristow 2; Daniels, Waters, Deluca.

Best: Kayler-Thomson, Hampson, Bogensperger, Daye, Leishman, Mahoney.

By Chris Pike