Bulldogs go down in Guglielmana’s 100th for Garlic Munchers Cup

SOUTH Fremantle was unable to celebrate Adam Guglielmana’s 100th WAFL match with a win on Saturday while also missing out on regaining the Garlic Munchers Cup and consolidating a spot in the top five further in the 15-point loss at the hands of West Perth at HBF Arena.

South Fremantle had won its last four visits to HBF Arena and had beaten the Falcons impressively in Round 1 so had every reason to head into Saturday’s clash for the Garlic Munchers Cup full of confidence despite coming off a loss at the hands of Subiaco the previous week.

And South Fremantle put together a strong first half with scores tied at half-time with the second placed West Perth, and despite the Bulldogs staying in touch during the second half, the Falcons did appear in control of the contest and ended up winning 9.17 (71) to 8.8 (56).

The loss sees the Bulldogs slip to a 6-6 record on the season and sitting in sixth position heading into Saturday’s clash at Fremantle Oval against the third placed Swan Districts leading into a bye.

South Fremantle’s forward-line was already missing dual Bernie Naylor Medallist Ben Saunders (hamstring) and premiership state small forward Cory Dell’Olio (calf), and then with key targets Josh Pullman, James Sellar and Paul Mugambwa combining for one goal, the Bulldogs struggled in attack.

Haiden Schloithe ended up being the Bulldogs’ only multiple goalkicker ending up booting four goals in his second game back from an ankle injury that had kept him sidelined since the Good Friday victory over Claremont. Schloithe’s four goals came from five kicks.

Despite the loss, South Fremantle’s back-line held up well with Blayne Wilson outstanding not only holding Tyler Keitel goalless, but finishing with 26 possessions and six marks.

Zac Strom also came back into the Bulldogs team and did a terrific job keeping Michael Lourey not only goalless, but to just three kicks for the game while 100-gamer Guglielmana and Adam McIntosh helped to keep Matt Johnson and Steve Potente to one goal apiece.

Ashton Hams again worked tirelessly all afternoon for the Bulldogs with 30 possessions, six tackles, four inside-50 entries and a goal while captain Ryan Cook amassed 26 disposals to go with eight marks and five inside 50s.

Marlion Pickett provided good run and drive out of defence for South Fremantle with 22 disposals with Tim Kelly collecting 20 touches, Kyle Hams 20, Steven Verrier 17 and Jacob Dragovich 17.

Brock Higgins battled away manfully in the ruck finishing the game with 14 possessions and 35 hit outs.

West Perth got the first goal of the game thanks to Kody Manning but it was goal for goal in the opening quarter with South Fremantle responding shortly after courtesy of Schloithe.

Drew Rohde got the next goal to put West Perth back in front by a goal after marking strongly and then kicking truly from directly in front.

Ashton Hams kicked truly following another free-kick for South Fremantle to draw scores level again before another goal for the Falcons to Corey Chalmers, and then one for the Bulldogs to Craig White saw the Bulldogs head into quarter-time leading by a point.

West Perth again regained the lead to start the second quarter when Johnson kicked truly after just two minutes and then it took almost another 20 minutes for the next major, and the Falcons became the first team to kick consecutive goals when Chalmers added his second.

That saw the Falcons lead by at that point what was a game high of 12 points but the Bulldogs managed the last two goals of the first half courtesy of Jarrod Parry and Schloithe to see scores once again all tied up at the main break.

West Perth then threatened to break the game open to start the second half with early goals to Luke Meadows and Manning. The Falcons then led by 13 points but the Bulldogs hit back when Schloithe added his third of the game.

Manning’s third goal for West Perth again saw the Falcons remain in control of the contest and despite a steadying goal for South Fremantle from Sellar after a strong mark after a good kick coming in from Pullman, the Falcons were working their way into a dominant position.

West Perth dominated the final quarter but only managed to kick six straight behinds and that left the door open for South Fremantle who was able to make the margin only six points when Schloithe nailed his fourth goal at the 10-minute mark.

However, the Falcons continued to dominate everywhere but on the scoreboard before Steve Potente kicked a good goal which proved to be the sealer at the 23-minute mark.

South Fremantle’s reserves remain on top of the ladder following a strong 14.11 (95) to 10.4 (64) win over West Perth at HBF Arena on Saturday.

Ben Sokol continued to work hard across half-forward with another four goals from 22 possessions and seven marks for the Bulldogs with John Sgherza, Kaiden Matera and Lachie Harris all kicking two majors apiece as well.

Toby Bairstow responded in style to losing his place in the league team for South Fremantle by amassing 38 possessions in the reserves while Shaun Bewick gathered 30 disposals, James Laurino 24, Matthew Gundry 22, Simon Panizza 22 and Sgherza 21.

Josh Branchi worked hard in the ruck with 31 hit outs to go with 10 touches and a goal.

South Fremantle’s colts went down to start the day at HBF Arena with West Perth ending up winning 12.12 (84) to 10.8 (68).

Kade Stewart and Mitch Dzelebdzic still kicked three goals apiece for the Bulldogs in the loss with Daniel Burke racking up 19 possessions, Jesse Mirco 17 and Jake Florenca 16.

SOUTH FREMANTLE        3.3    5.5    7.6    8.8    (56)
WEST PERTH            3.2    5.5    8.11    9.17    (71)

SOUTH FREMANTLE – Goals: Schloithe 4; Sellar, White, A Hams, Parry.
Best: A Hams, Wilson, Cook, Kelly, Schloithe, Pickett, Dragovich.
WEST PERTH – Goals: Manning 3; Chalmers 2; Potente, Meadows, Johnson, Rohde.
Best: Guadagnin, Browne, Adams, Black, Strijk, van Berlo, Manning.