WAFL – BULLDOGS STAY CLEAR ON TOP

South Fremantle put in another strong performance in Mandurah against the reigning premiers on Saturday to beat Peel Thunder by 35 points to retain top spot not only at WAFL league level, but in the colts and reserves too.

South Fremantle arrived at Lane Group Stadium on Saturday sitting in top spot in the colts, reserves and league in the competition, and the Bulldogs left Mandurah in those same positions with the three victories against the Thunder.

The league clash saw South Fremantle take advantage of the wind in the first and third quarters with a combined eight goals to one, and then limited the damage going against it for the eventual 11.8 (74) to 5.9 (39) victory.

The win improves the Bulldogs to a 9-1 record on the season to be six points clear of the second placed Claremont and with the best percentage in the competition.

Matthew Ward ended up kicking three goals in the win for South Fremantle with Isiah Winder adding two.

Jake Florenca finished with 29 possessions and 10 tackles while Matthew Parker had 24 and 13 while Tom Blechynden picked up 20 disposals, Jamaine Jones 19, Ethan Hughes 15 and Aaron Drage 15.

Hamish Free also had a fascinating ruck battle with Liam Reidy and ended up with 20 possessions, 41 hit outs, six tackles and a goal.

South Fremantle got off to the perfect start with a goal to Riley Colborne four minutes into the game and then shortly after it was Matthew Ward who kicked truly.

Roan O’Hehir then also took a mark and kicked truly shortly before the quarter-time siren which saw the Bulldogs go into the first break with a 15-point lead.

The Bulldogs extended their lead with goals to Ward and Brandon Donaldson midway through the second term kicking into the breeze, but Peel did manage the last couple of goals of the half to cut the South Fremantle lead to just seven points at half-time.

South Fremantle was then able to take full advantage of the wind in Mandurah in the third quarter starting with goals to Hamish Free and Jake Florenca.

But it was then in the last seven minutes of the quarter where the Bulldogs really put their foot down with three goals including a couple to Isiah Winder and another to Zac Strom to open up a 36-point advantage.

Ward kicked his third goal in the last quarter as well and from there the Bulldogs closed the deal on the 35-point win to maintain their hold on top spot in the WAFL.

The day got underway in Mandurah with the colts contest and South Fremantle maintained top position with the dominant 10.16 (76) to 1.3 (9) victory over Peel Thunder.

The Bulldogs got off to a flying start with five goals to no score in the first quarter and ended up leading by 36 points at half-time.

It was another four goals to nil in the second half from South Fremantle as they went on to score the 67-point victory to remain in first place with a 7-2 record for the season by the end of Round 11.

Millar Rank and Cian Bushe-Jones kicked three goals each in the win for South Fremantle with Ryda Luke adding two from eight scoring shots.

Aston Clissold gathered 27 possessions for the Bulldogs, Byron Foster 25 (22 hit outs), Zac Godwin 21, Rank 19, Noah Roberts 19, Jack McAuliffe 18 and Tom Hamon 15.

South Fremantle’s reserves then also consolidated top position with the 10.12 (72) to 6.6 (42) victory against Peel Thunder also at Lane Group Stadium.

South Fremantle managed to kick just 1.9 in the first quarter and then were only leading by six points at half-time, but the Bulldogs kicked away in the second half with four goals to one in the third term, and three to two in the last for the 30-point victory.

Haiden Schloithe’s inspiration returned with him finishing with 21 possessions, six tackles and a goal while Cooper Clarke-Dehring kicked three goals in the win for the Bulldogs.

Nick Stuhldreier racked up 31 possessions for South Fremantle, Toby Dodds 25, Robbie Turnbull 23, Tom Bell 23, Ashton Ferreira 19 and Jack Green 17 to go with 16 tackles.

SULLIVAN LOGISTICS WAFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON – ROUND 11

SOUTH FREMANTLE                        3.3          5.5          10.5        11.8        (74)

PEEL THUNDER                                 1.0          4.4          4.5          5.9          (39)

SOUTH FREMANTLE – Goals: Ward 3; Winder 2; Florenca, Z Strom, Colborne, Donaldson, Free, O’Hehir.

Best: Florenca, Parker, Ward, Free, Blechynden Hughes, Jones, McQuilkin, N Strom.

PEEL THUNDER – Goals: Nicholls 2; Delean, Sears, Dudley.

Best: Tuia, O’Meara, Narkle, Mathey, McDonald, Caldow, Reidy.