FIGHTBACK JUST FALLS SHORT

SOUTH Fremantle delivered a scintillating final quarter but it wasn’t quite enough with East Perth holding out for the thrilling three-point victory at Sullivan Logistics Stadium.

The Bulldogs arrived at the Leederville looking to build on the momentum from last week’s win over West Coast and to replace the Royals in second spot on the WAFL ladder.

However, South Fremantle found the going tough for the opening three quarters and kicked just five goals to fall 40 points down late in the third period.

The Bulldogs turned the tide impressively, though, and kicked the only five goals of the final term but just ran out of time with East Perth holding out for the 10.8 (68) to 10.5 (65) victory.

Zac Strom was once again South Fremantle’s main target in attack and he finished up kicking three goals to go with 17 possessions and five marks while Dylan Main and Ed Graham added two goals apiece.

Matthew Parker continued his stunning form in the midfield for the Bulldogs with another 32 possessions while Lewis Rayson collected 27 disposals, Isiah Winder 26, Haiden Schloithe 24, Tom Blechynden 21, Glenn Byron 21 and Jason Carter 21.

Solomon James also did well in his ruck battle against 100-game East Perth behemoth Scott Jones. James finished with 17 possessions 25 hit outs and five marks for the Bulldogs.

East Perth had the better of the start with the first two goals inside the opening seven minutes before South Fremantle got on the board at the 12-minute mark courtesy of Zac Strom.

However, East Perth finished the quarter with two more goals and went into the quarter-time break leading by 20 points as a result.

The Bulldogs then got off to a good start in the second term with an early goal to Strom and it was goal for goal for much of the rest of the term.

The goals for South Fremantle to Kaden Harbour against his original club along with Dylan Main against the side he played with while on West Coast’s list did bring the margin back to 15 points at the half-time break.

The Royals, however, did take back control in the third quarter by kicking four goals to just one from South Fremantle to go into three quarter-time with the 35-point advantage.

South Fremantle had to throw caution to the wind in the last quarter and suddenly took the game on, moved the ball quicker, went through the middle and got it quickly into attack, and it made the world of difference.

Matthew Parker got things rolling with a goal at the five-minute mark of the last term before Ed Graham added another and then Strom kicked his third of the day.

When Graham added another suddenly it was just a nine-point ball game and then Main brought the Bulldogs back within two points at the 26-minute mark.

They just ran out of time with East Perth holding on for the three-point win but the way the goals flowed with that more attacking game style could be a confidence booster going into next week against Claremont.

The day’s action got underway at Leederville with South Fremantle’s colts scoring the 7.16 (58) to 1.14 (20) victory against East Perth.

The win improves the Bulldogs to a 3-6 record on the season in the colts with Mitchell Geier kicking four goals from 19 possessions while Hudson Pivac also kicked two goals.

Tyler Rowe gathered 29 possessions for the Bulldogs, Nick Campo 26, Lucas Robinson 23, Orlando Keleman 22 and Taj Longmuir 22.

South Fremantle’s reserves then also scored the thrilling 10.11 (71) to 8.17 (65) victory against East Perth to improve to a 5-4 record on the season in fourth position on the ladder.

Jordan Gallucci kicked two goals in his return from a knee injury as did Luke Polson and Robbie Turnbull to go with 27 possessions and 10 tackles.

Lachlan Turley also gathered 25 disposals, Toby Dodds 23, Chase Bourne 22, Mitchell Sinnott 21 and Jaxon Bellchambers 20.

WAFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON – ROUND 13

SOUTH FREMANTLE        1.0    4.2    5.2    10.5    (65)
EAST PERTH            4.2    6.5    10.7    10.8    (68)

SOUTH FREMANTLE – Goals: Z Strom 3; Main, Graham 2; Schloithe, Harbour, Parker.
Best: Parker, Z Strom, Schloithe, Winder, Rayson, Blechynden, James, Carter, Byron..

EAST PERTH – Goals: Graham 3; Tedesco 2; Hille, Hill, Randall, Ameduri, Eaton.
Best: Randall, Wright, North, Crowden, Graham, Ameduri, Pearce.