Dominant Bulldogs reserves win through to Grand Final

SOUTH Fremantle has been the dominant WAFL reserves team all season and now the Bulldogs are straight into the Grand Final for 2017 after beating Subiaco in the second semi-final at Leederville Oval on Sunday.

Despite having the misfortune of having to give up home ground advantage that was earned during a standout home and away season, the Bulldogs reserves shook off that disappointment on Sunday morning despite the Lions picking up the bonus of getting to play on home turf.

Subiaco had booed a spot in the second semi-final on Sunday by beating Claremont by two points the previous Saturday at Fremantle Community Bank Oval while South Fremantle earned the break in the opening week of the finals having finished the season with a 16-4 record to claim the minor premiership.

The added bonus and incentive for both clubs is that they have their league sides in the finals still as well so there are a host of players in each team desperate to still try and push for a spot in the senior group.

In the end, it was South Fremantle who had greater depth of talent throughout its 22 players with the Bulldogs virtually leading from start to finish to end up winning 11.10 (76) to 5.9 (39).

The win sees South Fremantle move straight into the Grand Final for 2017 in what has been a tremendous performance by first-year coach Paul Litherland.

Subiaco will now take on Claremont in the preliminary final this Sunday to earn the right to play South Fremantle in that Grand Final on Sunday September 24 at Domain Stadium.

There were a host of South Fremantle players who delivered starring performances to show they are ready for a call up into the league side if an opportunity presents.

Brendan Verrier was outstanding for the Bulldogs amassing 39 possessions to go with 10 marks, six tackles, six inside-50 entries and a goal.

Jacob Dragovich returned from a hamstring injury and was superb with 38 disposals, 10 marks, seven tackles, seven inside 50s and a goal.

Jake Florenca also made sure he continued to put his hand up with 28 touches and 10 tackles while Jarrod Parry collected 25 possessions, Andre Coutinho 21, Jesse Musika 19, Kyle Russell 18, Daniel Burke 18 and Brandon Donaldson 17.

David Fiamengo was South Fremantle’s only multiple goal-scorer kicking two while Mitch Dzelebdzic worked hard for 17 disposals, six marks and a goal.

Josh Pullman kept South Fremantle’s defence together to put his hand up for a league recall for this Sunday’s preliminary final against Subiaco at Leederville Oval.

SOUTH FREMANTLE 2.4 6.6 8.9 11.10 (76)

SUBIACO 1.5 3.6 5.7 5.9 (39)

SOUTH FREMANTLE – Goals: Fiamengo 2; Musika, Dzelebdzic, Thompson, Coutinho, Pearson, Burke, Verrier, Branchi, Dragovich.

Best: Verrier, Dragovich, Florenca, Parry, Pullman, Musika, Coutinho.

SUBIACO – Goals: Nelson, Stevenson 2; Matera.

Best: Stevenson, Parry, Fimmano, Leach, Ainsworth.