Stunning WA Day Foundation Derby win for Bulldogs

Cory Dell’Olio wasn’t far behind with 19 disposals and four goals while Ashton Hams was terrific also with 29 touches, six tackles, five marks and four inside 50s.

Josh Pullman and Simon Panizza kicked two goals each for South Fremantle as well with Panizza’s intensity proving important for the Bulldogs and he racked up 18 touches as well.

Adam Carter picked up 23 possessions and 12 marks for South Fremantle with Kyle Hams finishing with 20 disposals, Steven Verrier 20, Shaun Bewick 19, Marlion Pickett 19 and Jarrod Parry 18.

Adam Guglielmana finished with 21 possessions and seven marks while having a fascinating battle with George Hampson.

Ruckman Josh Branchi made his league debut in the heat of a derby and stood up well allowing Brock Higgins to spend time as a target in attack. Branchi showed encouraging signs in his 13 possessions and 12 hit outs.

South Fremantle’s game got off to the worst possible start with East Fremantle kicking the first two goals in just under two minutes, and then Kelly was taken off on a stretcher unconscious.

The Sharks went on to kick seven goals to two in the first quarter with the advantage of the breeze to lead by 33 points at quarter-time, but the Bulldogs steadied at the first change and then took advantage of the wind in the second term as well.

The Bulldogs kicked the only four goals of the second quarter thanks to Dell’Olio, Panizza, Higgins and Jacob Dragovich to make the margin just nine points at the main break.

It was a goal fest on both sides in the third quarter but it started with the Bulldogs kicking two goals in the first four minutes through Cook and Dell’Olio.

That saw South Fremantle hit the front for the first time in the match and the Bulldogs did lead by nine points when Dell’Olio added his third of the game at the 17-minute mark, but the Sharks kicked the last four goals before three quarter-time, including Dalziell’s third and fourth, to lead by 16 points.

Then when Cameron Eardley goaled at the nine-minute mark, East Fremantle was up by 22 points but South Fremantle refused to go away.

Dell’Olio’s fourth goal made the margin six points, Pickett then attacked the ball hard and kicked a terrific goal on the run and then when captain Cook nailed his third the margin was under one straight kick.

The Bulldogs missed a couple of opportunities to go ahead, but they kept pressing and eventually Mugambwa was able to swoop on a ball in the forward pocket, break away from his opponent and then snap through the match-winning goal.

East Fremantle did have some opportunities late, including Mitch Boyle hitting the post with a shot on the run, but South Fremantle held on for the remarkable five-point win.

East Fremantle’s colts started its day at ATOM Stadium impressively beating South Fremantle 13.6 (84) to 4.8 (32) with Luke Strnadica terrific for the Sharks kicking five goals.

Alex Robinson kicked two of South Fremantle’s four goals with Miles Barritt racking up 26 possessions, Jamie Foster 22, Kade Stewart 20, Joel McComb 18 and Brandon Colbung 16.

South Fremantle’s reserves had a thumping 17.8 (110) to 7.7 (49) win over East Fremantle at ATOM Stadium with Jacob Martinez and Haiden Schloithe both returning from injury for the Bulldogs.

Schloithe didn’t come back on after half-time but was terrific in the first half with 18 possessions while Martinez ended up with 22 disposals.

John Sgherza kicked four goals for South Fremantle with Stephen Mills and Kaiden Matera booting three apiece.

Brendan Verrier racked up 34 disposals, Toby Bairstow 33, Anthony Collica 33, James Laurino 28, Craig White 25, Matthew Gundry 24, Matthew Ah Siu 20, Lewis Harvey 19 and Ben Sokol 18.

SOUTH FREMANTLE        2.3    6.5    11.8    15.13    (103)
EAST FREMANTLE        7.5    7.8    13.12    14.14    (98)

SOUTH FREMANTLE – Goals: Dell’Olio 4; Cook 3; Pullman, Panizza 2; Mugambwa, Pickett, Dragovich, Higgins.
Best: Cook, Dell’Olio, A Hams, Pickett, K Hams, Bewick, Parry, Panizza.
EAST FREMANTLE – Goals: Dalziell 4; Hampson 3; Anthony 2; Eardley, Bristow, Stephen, Perham, McGough.
Best: McNamara, Anthony, Dalziell, Hampson, R O’Brien, B O’Brien, Jupp.