Bulldogs fall to Tigers at home

SOUTH Fremantle might have gone down to the unbeaten reigning premiers Claremont on Saturday, but there were still some encouraging performances at Fremantle Oval and some strong outings in the reserves could have several players in the frame for a Foundation Day derby call up.

The Bulldogs came into the clash against the unbeaten Tigers and winners of the last two WAFL premierships coming off their first win of the season last week against Peel Thunder, but couldn’t quite replicate that on Saturday against Claremont at Fremantle Oval.

Claremont got off to a flying start with four goals to one in the opening quarter to lead by 23 points at quarter-time and then 45 points at half-time after another five-goal to one second term.

South Fremantle came out strongly in the third quarter and showed some fight at one stage kicking four goals in succession, but Claremont steadied to lead by 41 points at three quarter-time and then 67 by the final siren to record the 20.12 (132) to 9.11 (65) victory.

The Bulldogs midfield worked hard all day and as a team, South Fremantle actually picked up 20 more disposals than Claremont but could only manage 35 inside-50 entries to 61 from the Tigers.

Fremantle’s rookie-listed on-baller Haiden Schloithe led the way for South Fremantle picking up 32 possessions while captain Ryan Cook gathered 31 to go with eight marks. Mitch Banner racked up another 30 disposals to go with seven marks, four inside-50 entries and a goal.

Sean Tighe worked hard in the ruck up against experienced pair Mark Seaby and Mitch Andrews, and finished with 15 possessions and 32 hit outs.

Adam Guglielmana picked up 21 possessions while taking four marks, laying three tackles, driving the ball inside-50 three times and kicking a goal.

Adam McIntosh gathered 18 disposals, Adam Carter 17, Sam Lowrie 17, Dylan Ross 17 and Tim Kelly was impressive on debut with 16 disposals and a goal.

Jacob Martinez continued his strong defensive pressure laying another seven tackles for the Bulldogs while Kris Miller had six inside-50 entries from his 16 possessions.

Meanwhile up forward, John Sgherza, Ashton Hams and Paul Mugambwa all worked hard and kicked two goals apiece.

The news was much better in the reserves with South Fremantle running out 16.7 (103) to 9.5 (59) winners over Claremont.

Jarrod Parry was outstanding in his second game back from his second knee reconstruction finishing with 28 possessions, four inside-50 entries and a goal for the Bulldogs in the 44-point victory.

Reece Adams worked hard in the midfield as well finishing with 28 possessions while Mitch Carter picked up 22 disposals, James Laurino 21, Andrew Moody 20 and Brendan Verrier 18.

Alex Grima did well for 21 possessions and two goals as well with Kaiden Matera booting six majors and Kingsley Smith four.

Myles Bolger had a good game in the ruck with 14 possessions, eight marks and 26 hit outs.

The South Fremantle colts went down to Claremont by 15 points to start the day at Fremantle Oval.

Jermaine Lewis kicked four goals for the Bulldogs with James Culleton adding two and Tim Stewart racking up 27 possessions, Matthew Nicholson 24, Matthew Gundry 19 and Tom Wheeler 17.

SOUTH FREMANTLE 1.0 2.3 7.6 9.11 (65)

CLAREMONT 4.5 9.6 13.11 20.12 (132)

SOUTH FREMANTLE – Goals: Hams, Mugambwa, Sgherza 2; Guglielmana, Banner, Kelly.

Best: Banner, Cook, Schloithe, Guglielmana, Tighe, Kelly.

CLAREMONT – Goals: Medhurst 5; Richardson, Hamp 3; Murphy, Jones, Smith 2; Foster, Andrews, Seaby.

Best: Murphy, Medhurst, Foster, Laurie, Fong, McGinnity, Browne.

By Chris Pike