Teen Pickett inspires remarkable Bulldogs’ win

SOUTH Fremantle turned the tables on losing from winning positions by coming from behind to win in stunning fashion over Peel Thunder on Saturday at Fremantle Oval thanks to mercurial 17-year-old Jarrod Pickett.

South Fremantle was coming off a terrific 43-point derby win over East Fremantle the week before while Peel also had winning form coming into the contest at Fremantle Oval after a thumping win over Perth the previous Saturday at Lathlain Park.

It was Peel who had opened up an 11-point advantage over South Fremantle by quarter-time with that stretching to as much as 28 points during the second quarter.

Peel then still led by 17 points during the final quarter after South Fremantle product Josh Bootsma kicked a goal in his league debut for the Thunder.

However, quick goals from there to Jacob Martinez and then Jarrod Pickett, after a soaring pack mark, brought South Fremantle within just six points before Josh Pullman missed a set shot that could have levelled scores.

Shortly after, though, he was left all alone in the goal square and kicked his second goal of the day to put South Fremantle in front.

The game had plenty more twists left, though, despite more than 25 minutes having elapsed on the time clock.

Another South Fremantle product, Tom Vandeleur, came up huge for Peel to put his adopted team back in front and that appeared to be the sealer as the clock went beyond the 30-minute mark.

Nobody told the 17-year-old second-gamer Pickett that, though, and the expected high draft pick took a chest mark deep in the forward pocket right in front of the members’ stand at Fremantle Oval.

Showing enormous poise, he calmly checksided the ball right through the middle of the goals to give South Fremantle the stunning 13.17 (95) to 14.10 (94) victory to set off wild celebrations and to break the hearts of the Thunder players and coaching staff.

It is South Fremantle’s second win in succession and sixth victory of the season to mean that the Bulldogs look set to finish in seventh position on the ladder with three games of the 2014 campaign to go against Swan Districts, Subiaco and Peel Thunder again in the final round.

On top of Pickett’s two goals in the final 10 minutes for South Fremantle, Pullman, Martinez and Haiden Schloithe all kicked two majors apiece as well.

Brendan Verrier also gathered 22 disposals while kicking a goal and Toby Bairstow compiled 22 touches, James Sellar 21 and Ashton Hams 20.

Jarrod Parry had a good duel with returning Fremantle forward Michael Walters for Peel with Parry finishing the game with 17 possessions and six marks.

Brock Higgins had to battle against two AFL ruckmen in Jonathon Griffin and Jack Hannath, but was terrific for South Fremantle with 20 possessions, eight marks, six tackles, four inside 50s and 22 hit outs.

South Fremantle’s reserves also held on for a 10.19 (79) to 11.6 (72) victory over Peel even if the final quarter did run beyond the 28 minutes it is meant to go raising the ire of both sets of league teams waiting to enter Fremantle Oval.

John Sgherza has had a horror run of injuries this season for the Bulldogs but showed his quality on Saturday with four goals from 14 possessions and six marks.

Adam Guglielmana also made his return from a hamstring injury and played well finishing with 24 possessions, seven tackles and two inside-50 entries.

Mitch Carter racked up 31 disposals for South Fremantle’s reserves, Adam McIntosh 29, Tim Stewart 28, Jarrod Garlett 23, Simon Panizza 19, Emmanuel Collard 19, Kaiden Matera 19, Marlon Pickett 18 and Jayden D’Vauz 18.

South Fremantle’s colts got the day off to the perfect start at Fremantle Oval beating Peel 12.12 (84) to 5.4 (34).

Bailey Matera, Brandon Donaldson and Kade Stewart kicked two goals each for the Bulldogs while Jacob Dragovich racked up 32 possessions, Matthew Ah Siu 26, Matera 25 and Corey Salmon 24.

SOUTH FREMANTLE        2.4    7.6    9.10    13.17    (95)
PEEL THUNDER            4.3    8.7    11.8    14.10    (94)

SOUTH FREMANTLE – Goals: J Pickett, Pullman, Martinez, Schloithe 2; B Verrier, Kelly, S Verrier, Saunders, Sokol.
Best: Kelly, Higgins, B Verrier, Bairstow, Parry, Pullman, Schloithe.
PEEL THUNDER – Goals: Thornton, Morabito, Brown, Menegola 2; Walters, Jones, Bootsma, Wood, Griffin, Vandeleur.
Best: Ballard, Morabito, Jones, Menegola, Thornton, Brown.