Bulldogs overcome plucky Swans to secure top two finish

SOUTH Fremantle survived a scare against the bottom placed Swan Districts at Fremantle Community Bank Oval on Saturday but the Bulldogs kicked away late to win by 35 points and lock away a top two WAFL finish.

Despite a slow start with Swan Districts kicking the opening two goals in the Bulldogs’ last home game of the regular season on Saturday, South Fremantle was on top of the contest for most of the afternoon.

But inaccurate kicking denied the Bulldogs the chance to put Swans away despite leading by as much as 37 points during the third quarter.

The black-and-whites never gave up and did close to within seven points early in the last term, but South Fremantle responded to kick the game’s last four goals and win 14.21 (105) to 11.4 (70).

The victory improves South Fremantle to a 13-5 record on the season to be a game and percentage clear of the third placed West Perth.

The Bulldogs finish the season on the road to East Perth and Perth while the Falcons have the bye this weekend and a game against Swan Districts in the final round.

The only way South Fremantle could not finish second now is with massive losses to the Royals and Demons, and the Falcons having a monstrous win over Swans.

South Fremantle returned from Carnarvon after a big second half comeback victory over Perth to take on the wooden spooners of 2016 at home on Saturday in their final home and away match at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.

The Bulldogs didn’t have it easy but overcame Swans in the end kicking the last four goals to win by 35 points with Ben Saunders kicking four goals, five behinds and finishing with 17 possessions and seven marks.

Tyson Pickett, Ryan Cook and Blaine Johnson all kicked two goals apiece for South Fremantle as well.

Ashton Hams played his best game since returning from his calf injury for South Fremantle finishing with 32 possessions while Dylan Main racked up 29 disposals, Shane Hockey 28, Brendan Verrier 23, Cook 21, Shaun Bewick 19, Jacob Dragovich 19 and Haiden Schloithe 18.

Ruckman Brock Higgins had another strong performance for the Bulldogs ending the afternoon with 20 disposals, six marks and 26 hit outs.

South Fremantle couldn’t afford a slip up against the bottom placed Swan Districts but the Bulldogs didn’t get off to an ideal start with the black-and-whites booting the first two goals of the game through Adam Faulkner and Graham Jetta.

Eventually South Fremantle got on the board through Saunders at the 22-minute mark after already having four behinds on the board. The Bulldogs went into quarter-time in front, though, after Saunders booted his second.

Swans regained the lead early in the second term with Ricky Cary kicking his only goal of the afternoon but South Fremantle answered soon after through Saunders to again be four points to the good.

The Bulldogs then controlled the rest of the second quarter and despite again missing a host of gettable opportunities to kick eight behinds for the quarter, goals to Hockey, Bewick and Marlion Pickett ensured South Fremantle went into half-time in control leading by 29 points.

South Fremantle’s lead grew to 35 points to start the second quarter when captain Cook goaled early before Swans answered through big man Jake Nuich. The Bulldogs still did enough to lead by 27 points by three quarter-time after goals to Tyson Pickett and Johnson, but Swans weren’t going away.

Three goals in the first eight minutes of the last quarter all of a sudden had the black-and-whites with the momentum and within seven points and a chance at their third win of 2016.

But a steadying goal to Tyson Pickett and then the last four goals of the game to Saunders, Mason Shaw, Cook and Johnson were enough for South Fremantle to come away with the 35-point win that could have been secured earlier with some more accurate kicking on goal.

It was slow going in the colts contest at Fremantle Community Bank Oval with South Fremantle kicking the only goal of the first quarter and the Bulldogs led by just a point at half-time, but the home side did well in the second half to end up winning 8.7 (55) to 4.10 (34).

Shai Bolton, Ned Brennan and Daniel Burke kicked two goals apiece for South Fremantle.

Burke also gathered 30 possessions for the Bulldogs, Zac De San Miguel 23, Kyle Russell 22, Bolton 19, Bruno Faulkner 19 and ruckman Jacob Warne 19 to go with 27 hit outs and five marks.

In the reserves at Fremantle Community Bank Oval, Swan Districts got off to a good start with four goals to one in the first quarter to set up the eventual 12.12 (84) to 9.12 (66) victory over South Fremantle.

Brandon Donaldson and Jesse Mirco kicked three goals apiece for South Fremantle.

Billy Collier had a good game for the Bulldogs collecting 30 possessions while Jake Florenca gathered 29 touches, Bailey Matera 24, Matthew Ah Siu 24, James Laurino 22, Tim Stewart 18 and Tom Vandeleur.

Exciting young ruckman Tim English had another good performance finishing with 20 possessions, eight marks and 26 hit outs.

SOUTH FREMANTLE        2.4    6.12    9.17    14.21    (105)
SWAN DISTRICTS        2.1    3.1    7.2    11.4    (70)

SOUTH FREMANTLE – Goals: Saunders 4; Johnson, Cook, T Pickett 2; Shaw, M Pickett, Bewick, Hockey.
Best: Hams, Main, Hockey, Higgins, Saunders, B Verrier, Cook.
SWAN DISTRICTS – Goals: Rogers, Faulkner 2; Riddoch, Burnham, Clutterbuck, Howard, Nuich, Cary, Jetta.
Best: Faulkner, Riggio, Slater, Logue, Banfield, Riddoch.