BULLDOGS THRASH DEMONS AHEAD OF FINALS

SOUTH Fremantle gave themselves a chance to climb up the WAFL ladder with a 64-point win against Perth on Saturday, and while the other results didn’t go their way, they ensured they enter the finals in strong form.

The Bulldogs had to take care of business and beat Perth at Lathlain’s Mineral Resources Park on Saturday to be any chance of finishing higher than fourth position on the WAFL ladder heading into the finals.

While they didn’t end up moving up from fourth spot thanks West Perth, East Fremantle and Claremont all winning as well, South Fremantle controlled the contest all afternoon on the way to the eventual 14.8 (92) to 4.4 (28).

South Fremantle will now enter its seventh consecutive finals campaign from fourth position having finished the 2022 season with 12 wins, five losses and a draw.

The Bulldogs will now host an elimination final this Sunday against Peel Thunder at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.

Nick Suban ended up kicking three goals for the afternoon for South Fremantle and it’s the first time he’s done that in 86 games for the Bulldogs, and it’s just the second time in his 119-game WAFL career.

Mason Shaw also continued his run of season-best form for the Bulldogs with another three goals from 17 touches and nine marks while Zac Strom, Caleb Datson and Tyson Headland all kicked two goals as well.

Haiden Schloithe continued his stunning form with another 31 possessions, seven tackles, seven inside 50s and a goal in his 199th game for South Fremantle while Steely Green played the best of his seven-game career with 31 touches, seven tackles and seven inside 50s.

Tom Blechynden racked up another 30 disposals to go with eight tackles for the Bulldogs with Brendon Ah Chee finishing with 26 touches, Blake Schlensog 21, Toby McQuilkin 21, Steve Verrier 19 and Josh Cuneo 18.

Hamish Free capped off the season with another strong showing in the ruck made up of 14 touches, 43 hit outs, five tackles, four marks and four inside-50 entries.

South Fremantle made a flying start with two quick goals to veterans Nick Suban and Mason Shaw inside the opening seven minutes to set the tone for the rest of the afternoon.

Perth responded soon after with a goal from Corey Byrne on his return from suspension with the Bulldogs heading into quarter-time holding a 10-point advantage.

It was again Suban who gave South Fremantle the fast start to the second term with his second goal of the afternoon before Zac Strom added another. When Caleb Datson added another, the Bulldogs were running away with it.

The Demons did get a goal back before half-time from Austin Davis, but four goals to one from the Bulldogs saw them in control by 27 points at the major break.

It was more of the same throughout the second half with Suban adding his third goal to continue his trend of goals early on in the quarters.

Datson then added a second with Haiden Schloithe and Brendon Ah Chee getting on the board as well before three quarter-time to see South Fremantle extend its advantage to 45 points by the last change.

Shaw kicked his third goal of the day to open up the last quarter and then two quick goals to Tyson Headland blew the margin right out.

By the final siren, South Fremantle cruised to the 14.8 (92) to 4.4 (28) win but with the other results it wouldn’t change their finishing position.

The day started at Lathlain with Perth’s colts defeating South Fremantle 11.10 (76) to 7.6 (48).

South Fremantle’s goals came from Mitch Geier, Chase Bourne, Jordan Douglas, Ed Graham, Liam Brandis, Jacob Whan and Brandon Shepherd.

Seth Connor finished with 22 possessions, Tom Regan 22, Christian Wilson 18, Jacob Whan 17 and Roan O’Hehir 17.

The Bulldogs colts finish the season in fifth position with an 8-8 record and will now take on East Perth in an elimination final this Sunday afternoon at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.

South Fremantle’s reserves geared up for the finals by beating Perth also at Mineral Resources Park on Saturday 7.10 (52) to 6.7 (43).

Jack Blechynden kicked two goals for the Bulldogs while George Wessels collected 27 possessions, Lachlan Taylor 24, Jacob Sax 21, Jarrod Salmeri 19, Angus Fraser 19 and Tyrese Pickett-Miller 18.

The Bulldogs reserves finish the season in third position with an 11-5 record ahead of playing Claremont in a qualifying final this Saturday at East Fremantle Oval.

WAFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON – ROUND 20

SOUTH FREMANTLE        2.4    6.4    10.6    14.8 (92)
PERTH                1.0    2.1    3.3    4.4 (28)

SOUTH FREMANTLE: Goals – Suban, Shaw 3; Z Strom, Datson, Headland 2; Schloithe, Ah Chee.
Best – Schloithe, Green, Blechynden, Shaw, N Strom, Schlensog, Ah Chee, McQuilkin, Free.
PERTH: Goals – Byrne, Stubbs, Davis, Hayward.
Best – Byrne, Nicholas, Mayne, Fisher, More, Stubbs, Cary.