Bulldogs just fall short of fourth straight win to end season

SOUTH Fremantle started on fire kicking the first five goals against Perth at Lathlain’s Brownes Stadium on Saturday but just fell short in the end of finishing the season with a fourth straight win.

The Bulldogs were in tremendous form heading to the Lathlain venue for the final game of the 2013 season having won their last three matches against East Perth, Peel Thunder and Subiaco, and four of their last five overall to be building some good momentum.

That continued into the start of the contest against the Demons with the Bulldogs kicking the first five goals in the first quarter and leading most of the day, but Perth finished the stronger to end up winning 17.13 (115) to 13.13 (91).

South Fremantle now finishes the 2013 season in seventh position on the ladder with a 6-14 record but things improved markedly after a 0-7 start to the year.

The Bulldogs went 6-7 from that point on but more impressively won four of their last six matches including impressive victories over finals teams West Perth and East Perth along the way.

Bulldogs ruckman Sean Tighe was outstanding as he has been since arriving two years ago finishing the season off with a best on ground display with 29 possessions, six marks, 36 hit outs and six inside-50 entries.

Mitch Banner racked up 25 possessions and kicked two goals also to secure the club’s leading goalkicker award for 2013 with Paul Mugambwa not managing a major for the afternoon.

Last year’s Bernie Naylor Medal winner Ben Saunders kicked four goals while second-gamer Blaine Johnson booted three from 18 disposals.

Veteran Kris Miller also kicked two goals from 18 possessions and four inside-50 entries in his 298th WAFL game, and 145th with South Fremantle.

South Fremantle’s back-line again provided strong run and drive led by 24 possessions from Adam Guglielmana with Dylan Ross having 21 disposals, Warrick Andreoli 20, Nick Borovac 19 and Adam McIntosh 19.

Ashton Hams was back from his one-week suspension after the win over Peel a fortnight ago and picked up 22 possessions with Toby Bairstow returning to the league side with 19 touches, Jacob Martinez 18, James Laurino 17, Tim Kelly 16 and Brendan Verrier 15.

Second-gamer Marlon Pickett again showed exciting signs after his remarkable debut last week against East Perth. On this occasion, he finished with 22 possessions, seven inside-50 entries, five marks and even four hit outs in another strong all-round performance.

South Fremantle’s league team might have missed out on playing finals for the second straight year, but both the Bulldogs’ reserves and colts sides will be taking part in the finals.

The reserves hammered Perth 16.15 (111) to 2.8 (20) and now the two teams will do battle once again in the second semi-final this weekend with a grand final spot up for grabs.

Alex Grima, Reece Adams, Jarrad Winter, Anthony van Manen, Kaiden Matera and Ben Sokol all kicked two goals each for South Fremantle’s reserves in the massive 91-point victory.

Jarrod Parry collected 32 possessions for the Bulldogs with Dylan Main finishing with 25 touches, Winter 24, Shaun Bewick 23, Grima 23, Mitch Carter 23, Sokol 20, Simon Panizza 20, van Manen 20 and Adams 18.

The colts are on the hunt for a third straight premiership and finished the home and away season in second position with a 15-5 record to set up a second semi-final match-up with Claremont with the winner into the grand final for 2013.

Willie Rioli and Callum Ah Chee kicked three goals each for South Fremantle with Tim Stewart kicking two while Jacob Dragovich collected 26 possessions, Stewart 20, Jye Depane 18, Oliver Sexton 16 and Jarrod Garlett 16.

SOUTH FREMANTLE 6.4 9.6 11.9 13.13 (91)

PERTH 1.2 8.5 10.9 17.13 (115)

SOUTH FREMANTLE – Goals: Saunders 4; Johnson 3; Miller, Banner 2; Hams, Cook.

Best: Tighe, Banner, Pickett, Guglielmana, Johnson, Miller, Andreoli, Ross.

PERTH – Goals: Stack 5; Leeson 3; Bevan, White 2; O’Sullivan, Reimers, Jacobs, Houghton, Richardson.

Best: Leeson, Reimers, Hodge, Stack, O’Sullivan, Sketcher.

By Chris Pike