Bulldogs win seventh straight by downing Demons

SOUTH Fremantle controlled most of the contest and then withstood a late Perth charge to win by 10 points at Lathlain Park on Saturday with the Bulldogs now having won seven straight matches and consecutive games to start a season for the first time since 2006.

The Bulldogs led by 42 points against the Demons during the third quarter and then again by 39 early in the last following goals to Haiden Schloithe and James Sellar, but the home team then piled on five goals in a 10-minute burst to get back into the contest.

However, a steadying goal from Ben Saunders from outside 50 was enough for South Fremantle to hold on and record the 12.13 (85) to 11.9 (75) victory.

That means that the Bulldogs have now won seven straight matches taking in winning the last five to close the 2014 season.

And South Fremantle has also now won consecutive matches to open a season for the first time since winning the opening six to begin the 2006 campaign as minor premiers.

Despite letting the game get a little closer than they would have hoped, South Fremantle’s strong start to the season is a vast improvement on recent years. The Bulldogs will now look to make it three from three on Good Friday against Claremont at Fremanlte Oval.

South Fremantle’s forward-line looked potent led by Saunders and Sellar. The former finished with four goals from 14 possessions and six marks while also doing well putting on pressure and laying five tackles.

Sellar, meanwhile, providing a strong marking option and finished with 17 possessions, 10 marks, 11 hit outs and the three goals.

The arrival of Blayne Wilson this season has allowed Sellar to play forward rather than the sweeping role across half-back he was playing in the second half of last year to good effect. Wilson had another strong game on Saturday with 23 possessions and eight marks.

Haiden Schloithe worked hard through the middle and across half-forward for South Fremantle to finish with 27 disposals while captain Ryan Cook also gathered 23 touches, Jacob Martinez 19, Shaun Bewick 18, Toby Bairstow 17 and Marlon Pickett 17 across half-back.

Adam Guglielmana had a fascinating duel with Sydney Swans AFL premiership player Mitch Morton and did well keeping him to two goals given the Demons isolated Morton out of the goal square as much as possible throughout the game.

South Fremantle also blooded another debutant with Bailey Matera, the son of Wally, making his first league appearance and showing some good signs with 11 possessions.

The Bulldogs did come into the game without Ashton Hams who was a late withdrawal but he should return to face Claremont on Good Friday with Cory Dell’Olio and Nick Borovac also not far off a return.

The Bulldogs got off to a hot start with a goal to Craig White in just over a minute, and then when he kicked his second at the 26-minute mark of the opening term the Demons had yet to kick a major.

That did come through Mitch Morton just before quarter-time, but Perth didn’t manage another until the 15-minute mark of the third term with South Fremantle kicking five in that period to lead by a game-high 42 points.

Three quick goals before three quarter-time gave Perth a sniff, but South Fremantle looked to have done enough leading by 39 following early final term goals to Schloithe and Sellar.

However, Daniel Arangio, Morton, Cody Leggett, Daniel O’Sullivan and Toby Gianatti all kicked goals in an inspired 10-minute burst, but ultimately the seven-goal deficit was too much to make up.

South Fremantle’s reserves also made it two from two to start the new season with a thumping 22.10 (142) to 7.7 (49) win over Perth on Saturday.

Perth’s colts did get the day off to a winning start at Lathlain Park with a 12.8 (80) to 6.9 (45) win over South Fremantle.

Jake Florenca and Brandon Colbung kicked two goals each for South Fremantle with Jesse Musika picking up 20 possessions, Callum Ah Chee 16 and Daniel Burke 15.

SOUTH FREMANTLE        3.4    6.7    9.10    12.13    (85)
PERTH                1.2    1.7    5.8    11.9    (75)

SOUTH FREMANTLE – Goals: Saunders 4; Sellar 3; White 2; Schloithe, Bairstow, S Verrier.
Best: Schloithe, Wilson, Cook, Sellar, Saunders, Higgins, Martinez, Guglielmana.
PERTH – Goals: Leggett 3; M Morton, Arangio 2; O’Sullivan, Gianatti, Power, Welburn.
Best: White, Tropiano, Wolfenden, McKenna, Leggett, Kalajzic.