BULLDOGS LOSE AS JOHN TODD REMEMBERED

SOUTH Fremantle might have gone down to Swan Districts but it was a day on Saturday where the occasion was all about celebrating the remarkable life of Bulldogs legend John Todd.

It was the first game for both clubs since the passing of Todd the previous week and they were playing for the John Todd Memorial Cup as a result for the contest at Steel Blue Oval in front of a crowd of almost 5000 people.

In the end, Swan Districts did win the game defeating South Fremantle 10.12 (72) to 6.9 (45) with the Bulldogs still sitting in third position on the WAFL ladder with a 6-3 record.

South Fremantle’s lone multiple goal scorer for the day was Zac Strom who kicked three goals from eight kicks and four marks to go with eight hit outs.

Haiden Schloithe was back into the side for South Fremantle after missing the WA Day derby victory and battled hard once more with 31 possessions in the midfield to go with seven marks, three tackles, three inside-50 entries and a terrific long running goal from outside 50.

Isiah Winder continued his fine form for the Bulldogs with another 24 possessions to go with eight tackles with Lewis Rayson ending up with 22 disposals, Tom Blechynden 19, Matthew Parker 19 and captain Chad Pearson 18.

The game got off to the perfect start for Swan Districts with a goal to Brad Lynch after only 45 seconds had gone on the time clock.

South Fremantle got one back soon after thanks to Tom Blechynden before the trend continued with Tom Edwards adding another for Swans, and Zac Strom responding for the Bulldogs.

Swan Districts then closed the first quarter with goals to Jackson McLachlan and a second to Lynch for the home team to be leading by 13 points at quarter-time.

Swans then extended that advantage with the first two goals of the second term as well courtesy of McLachlan and Edwards with the lead out to as much as 23 points.

However, South Fremantle responded by closing the half with goals to Matthew Parker and Haiden Schloithe which cut the lead of Swans to 11 points at half-time break.

It took 10 minutes for the first goal of the second half and that went the way of Swan Districts thanks to McLachlan. His third of the day put Swans out to an 18-point lead before Lynch kicked two more to give him four for the contest.

That had Swan Districts in control leading by 31 points at three quarter-time before the black-and-whites also kicked the first goal of the last quarter thanks to Luke Kelly to be out to a 38-point advantage.

South Fremantle did manage the last two goals of the contest through Zac Strom but that only cut the final margin of Swan Districts to 27 points.

The day at Steel Blue Oval got underway with the colts contest on Saturday morning with Swan Districts beating South Fremantle 9.4 (58) to 6.11 (47).

South Fremantle is now 2-6 on the season following the loss with Latrell Yarran kicking three goals while Toby Whan collected 24 possessions, Orlando Keleman 24, Zane Triscari 18 and Millar Rank 18 to go with laying 12 tackles.

Meanwhile, in the reserves match it was South Fremantle scoring the 18.10 (118) to 7.6 (48) victory against Swan Districts.

The Bulldogs dominated the second half with six goals to two in the third quarter, and five to nil in the fourth for the 70-point win to improve to a 4-4 record on the season.

Ed Graham kicked six goals in the win for South Fremantle with Haki Harcourt adding three, Luke Polson two, Aaron Drage two and Jaren Carr two.

Drage picked up a massive 50 possessions throughout the game with George Wessels also collecting 31 disposals, Ashton Ferreira 24, Connor McDonald 23, Graham 21, Carr 19, Polson 18 and Toby Dodds 18 while Solomon James had 13 to go with 45 hit outs in the ruck.

WAFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON – ROUND 11

SOUTH FREMANTLE        2.2    4.5    4.6    6.9    (45)
SWAN DISTRICTS        4.3    6.4    9.8    10.12    (72)

SOUTH FREMANTLE – Goals : Z Strom 3; Schloithe, Blechynden.
Best: Schloithe, Winder, Boullineau, Z Strom, Blechynden, Raison, Parker.

SWAN DISTRICTS – Goals: Lynch 4; McLachlan 3; Edwards 2; Kelly.
Best: Rokahr, Cipro, Turner, Clarke, Lynch, Pasini, McLachlan, Pina.