SCHLOITHE BRILLIANT AS DOGS BEAT LIONS

HAIDEN Schloithe produced one of the more spectacular performances of his 212-game WAFL career and South Fremantle dominated the second half for Saturday’s 44-point home win over Subiaco in honour of Nick Campo.

After a devastating week following the passing of Nick Campo in a tragic car accident the previous Saturday night and with his colts teammate Tyler Rowe still fighting in hospital, it was with heavy hearts that South Fremantle ran out onto Fremantle Community Bank Oval with.

However, they were able to produce a strong performance with the Bulldogs kicking 10 goals to four in the second half, and seven to two in the last term on the way to the eventual 17.10 (112) to 10.8 (68) victory.

It was the 212th game of Haiden Schloithe’s career with South Fremantle and it was as spectacular a performance that the five-time fairest and best winner, Sandover Medallist and premiership star has ever produced.

Schloithe finished the afternoon with five goals to go with 32 possessions, nine marks, eight tackles and four entries inside the forward 50.

Jordan Gallucci made his return from a knee injury as well for the first time in 2024 and kicked two goals for the Bulldogs as did Dylan Main, Robbie Turnbull and Ed Graham.

Isiah Winder also continued his dynamic form in the midfield for South Fremantle with another 33 possessions to go with eight tackles with Matthew Parker picking up 26 disposals, Turnbull 22 and reigning WJ Hughes Medal winner Tom Blechynden 16 to go with six marks and four tackles.

The South Fremantle back-line was rock solid once again as well with Jordan Boullineau leading the charge by holding former Bulldog Ben Sokol goalless.

Captain Chad Pearson also had 18 possessions and nine marks with Glenn Byron finishing with 18 touches, Lewis Rayson 18 and Noah Strom nine to go with five marks.

Subiaco did kick the first goal of the game after nine minutes thanks to Taj Schofield but South Fremantle soon got on the field with two goals in a minute thanks to Kaden Harbour and Dylan Main to grab the lead.

The Lions did get another back through Schofield and then by quarter-time it was the visitors holding on to a two-point advantage.

Subiaco then extended its lead to start the second quarter before Rily Colborne answered for South Fremantle, but the Lions also then kicked two in the space of less than two minutes to open up a game high 12-point lead up to that point.

The Bulldogs responded impressively starting with a goal to Chase Bourne before another to Ed Graham and two just before half-time to Haiden Schloithe to go with his 23 first half disposals.

That had South Fremantle leading by seven points at half-time before they were able to build on that lead in the third term with a couple of goals to Robbie Turnbull and another to the returning Jordan Gallucci.

However, Subiaco stayed in touch to be within 13 points at three quarter-time but it was a dominant final quarter from South Fremantle beginning with an early goal after just a minute to Main.

Schloithe kicked another three goals including two in the matter of three minutes while Graham kicked his second of the day, Gallucci a second in his first game back and Jaren Carr another for the eventual 44-point victory.

The day started with a colts match up at Fremantle Community Bank Oval in honour of Nick Campo and South Fremantle delivered a spirited performance before Subiaco ended up prevailing 10.7 (67) to 6.12 (48).

Mitchell Geier kicked four goals for the Bulldogs while Fred Rodriguez gathered 21 possessions, Tom Bell 19, Toby Whan 17, Orlando Keleman 16, Millar Rank 16 and Sam Irving 15 while Hudson Pivac delivered 17 disposals to go with 15 hit outs and eight inside-50 entries.

The reserves match up was up next and it was a thrilling contest with Subiaco snatching the eventual 9.13 (67) to 9.8 (62) thanks to a late goal in the final minute to grab the lead.

Premiership player Caleb Datson kicked three goals for the Bulldogs with Riley Holden and Jarrod Salmeri adding two apiece.

George Wessels picked up another 25 possessions and laid eight tackles as well for South Fremantle with Toby McQuilkin finishing with 21 disposals, Toby Dodds 20, Connor McDonald 17 and Ethan Donaghy 17 while Josh Branchi returned in the ruck and had 70 hit outs.

WAFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON – ROUND 16

SOUTH FREMANTLE        2.1    7.5    10.7    17.10    (112)
SUBIACO            2.3    6.4    8.6    10.8    (68)

SOUTH FREMANTLE – Goals: Schloithe 5; Gallucci, Main, Turnbull, Graham 2; Colborne, Harbour, Bourne, Carr.
Best: Schloithe, Winder, Parker, Pearson, Boullineau, Turnbull, Byron, Blechynden.

SUBIACO – Goals: Schofield, Borchet, Evitt 2; Snadden, Mayo, Cook, Alone.
Best: Clark, Schofield, L Hickmott, Savigni, Kitchin, W Hickmott.