WAFL – DOGS HIT BACK TO BEAT TIGERS

How you respond to a down performance often tells the true character of a team and South Fremantle answered that with flying colours on Saturday with the 17-point victory against Claremont.

South Fremantle arrived at Revo Fitness Stadium having suffered a first loss of the season the previous Saturday against the West Coast Eagles in what was a disappointing performance after five strong wins to open 2025.

The Bulldogs managed to kick away with five goals to two in the second quarter against the Tigers which went on to set up the eventual 10.8 (68) to 7.9 (51) victory.

The win improves South Fremantle to a 5-1 record on the season heading into the State game break to be only percentage behind the top placed East Perth.

Trey Ruscoe kicked another three goals in the win for South Fremantle with Isiah Winder, Brandon Donaldson and Ed Graham all kicking two apiece.

Jake Florenca was especially impressive getting the ball to the explosive runners for South Fremantle with six kicks but 23 handpasses to go with his nine tackles while Tom Blechynden racked up another 29 possessions to go with eight tackles and seven inside-50 entries.

Winder also had 24 touches to go with his two goals with Lewis Rayson finishing with 23 possessions, Matthew Parker 18, Zac Strom 17, Aaron Drage 17 and Hamish Free 16 in the ruck with 19 hit outs in a fascinating battle with Claremont’s Oliver Eastland.

South Fremantle-Claremont battles for almost a decade now have followed a similar trend of being close, tight, tense and low-scoring affairs and Saturday’s clash started in similar fashion despite the perfect conditions at Tigerland.

Claremont kicked the first goal of the game before South Fremantle responded thanks to Ed Graham but the Tigers got another just before quarter-time to Alec Waterman which saw them lead by just three points after one.

South Fremantle made a blistering start to the second term with three goals inside the first 11 minutes courtesy of Trey Ruscoe, a second to Graham and Isiah Winder to open up a 14-point lead.

Brandon Donaldson snapped another for the Bulldogs and Winder kicked his second of the half which saw the visitors go into the half-time break leading by 16 points.

The Bulldogs also kicked the first goal of the second with Donaldson kicking a second before Ruscoe also kicked his second to ensure South Fremantle retained a 20-point lead by three quarter-time.

Claremont kicked two quick goals to start the last quarter to all of a sudden to be back within eight points, but the Bulldogs responded with goals to Matthew Ward and Ruscoe on the way to securing the 17-point victory.

The day’s action at Revo Fitness Stadium got underway with the colts match up which saw South Fremantle win big with the 15.11 (101) to 5.2 (32) victory against Claremont.

It was three goals apiece in the first quarter before the Bulldogs held the Tigers scoreless in the second term and kicked four goals themselves to head into half-time leading by 32 points.

It was another two goals to one for South Fremantle in the third quarter and then six goals to one in the last on the way to the 69-point victory.

Latrell Yarran kicked three goals for the Bulldogs with Cian Bushe-Jones, Aston Clissold and Jarrah Hayden kicking two apiece while Toby Whan racked up 34 disposals, Fred Rodriguez 32, Max Thomas 18, Noah Roberts 18, Jacob Donald 17 and Aston Clissold 17.

Next up was the reserves contest at Revo Fitness Stadium and Claremont kicked the only two goals of the last quarter to score the 6.12 (48) to 6.8 (44) victory.

It was two goals apiece in the first quarter and then a goal each in the second with the Tigers narrowly leading by a point at half-time.

South Fremantle kicked away with three goals to one in the third term but then Claremont kicked the only two goals of the final term to snatch the four-point win.

Jermaine Pickett kicked two goals from his two kicks for South Fremantle while Tom Bell gathered 27 possessions, Toby Dodds 20, Brady Alvaro 20, Jack Green 16 and premiership captain Dylan Main returned with nine disposals and a goal.

SULLIVAN LOGISTICS WAFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON – ROUND 6

SOUTH FREMANTLE                        1.4          6.6          8.8          10.8        (68)

CLAREMONT                                      2.1          4.2          5.6          7.9          (51)

SOUTH FREMANTLE – Goals: Ruscoe 3; Winder, Donaldson, Graham 2; Ward.

Best: Winder, Blechynden, Florenca, Rayson, Parker, Hughes, Free.

CLAREMONT – Goals: Alvarez, Delacey 2; Waterman, Gowdie, Smallwood.

Best: Bolton, Roger, Davis, Alvarez, Waterman, Minear, Lewsey.