Bulldogs celebrate Cook's 100th in style over Thunder

SOUTH Fremantle delivered a stunning finish to Saturday's game against Peel Thunder at Fremantle Community Bank Oval kicking the last seven goals to win by 41 points to retain top spot on the WAFL ladder and celebrate captain Ryan Cook's 100th game.

It was a game of runs from the outset with Peel kicking the first two goals only for South Fremantle to answer back with the next two of the first quarter, and then the first three of the second to go on a five-goal run to lead by 20 points.

But the Thunder answered back with the last three of the first half to trail by two points.

Then Peel kicked the first two of the last quarter to be back within two points after South Fremantle broke away by 15 points at three quarter-time, but it was the Bulldogs who had the last say with seven goals in the final 15 minutes to run away with the 16.11 (107) to 9.12 (66) victory.

The win improves South Fremantle to a 7-1 record on the season to remain on top of the WAFL ladder ahead of the also 7-1 Subiaco with the Bulldogs possessing a far superior percentage.

It is also South Fremantle's first win over Peel since Round 23, 2014.

It was a big day for inspirational South Fremantle captain Ryan Cook with him bringing up his 100th game with the Bulldogs since arriving in 2011. Not only did he celebrate with the win but had a big hand in it finishing with 27 possessions and 12 marks.

Ashton Hams was again closely checked for the second straight week but he shook off Peel opponent Brady Grey to amass 35 possessions along with seven inside 50s, five marks, four tackles and a goal.

Hams had plenty of help in the midfield with Tim Kelly finishing with 22 possessions and two goals, Jacob Dragovich 21 disposals, Steven Verrier 18 touches and six tackles, and Shane Hockey 18 disposals.

South Fremantle gladly welcomed back full-forward Ben Saunders and Josh Pullman to good effect after the pair missed last week's win over Claremont. Saunders booted three goals from 11 touches and six marks, while Pullman did well limiting Michael Apeness to three kicks and two goals while taking seven good marks himself.

Saunders had plenty of support in the forward-line with Zac Strom booting two goals from 18 possessions, and Mason Shaw two from 12 touches and six marks. Steven Edwards worked hard for 19 touches and a goal, and Blaine Johnson had 17 disposals and a goal.

Pullman got good help in defence too with Blayne Wilson finishing with 23 possessions and 10 marks, Adam McIntosh 23 disposals and 12 marks, and Adam Guglielmana 22 touches, eight marks and a goal.

South Fremantle unveiled another debutant with Jake Florenca looking good with 16 possessions, four marks and a goal in his first league appearance.

Peel got off to a flying start with the game's opening two goals through Matt De Boer and captain Gerald Ugle in the opening 10 minutes, but South Fremantle did well to steady.

Saunders put the Bulldogs on the board 14 minutes in and then debutant Florenca kicked a goal and behind with his first two kicks in league football to help the home team draw level with the Thunder by quarter-time.

The Bulldogs then dominated the opening 20 minutes of the second term and the only three goals in that period to Kelly, Guglielmana and Hams saw them open up a 20-point lead and to take a measure of control over the contest heading into time-on.

However, Peel responded with three goals in red time through Andrew Haydon, Michael Apeness and Ben Hancock to trail by just the two points at half-time.

Once more it was South Fremantle starting the third quarter impressively with an early goal to Kelly as he booted his second of the afternoon, but the Thunder responded with the next one 10 minutes later through Blair Bell to bring the Bulldogs' lead back to just a point.

South Fremantle got the next one to lead again by seven points when Edwards kicked truly and the lead grew to 13 points when Shaw booted his first goal of the afternoon.

Peel maintained touch, though, with Apeness kicking his second goal in his first league game of the year but when Saunders goaled just before three quarter-time the Bulldogs maintained a 15-point advantage.

The Thunder started the final quarter strongly with the first two goals to Tanner Smith and Brad Walsh to get within two points and to appear to set up a thrilling finish, but the Bulldogs would have none of it.

South Fremantle dominated the final 15 minutes of the game piling on seven goals in that time including four in four minutes that put the game out of Peel's reach.

Starting with Saunders kicking his third at the 13-minute mark, Shaw added his second two minutes later and then when Strom booted two inside two minutes the Bulldogs suddenly led by 26 points with 18 minutes gone on the clock.

Tim Stewart kicked the first goal of his three-game career to stretch the lead to 38 points, it was then 38 when Haiden Schloithe broke free of Ryan Nyhuis to kick truly and 42 when Blaine Johnson booted his first of the afternoon after three behinds.

The reserves began the day at Fremantle Community Bank Oval with South Fremantle thumping Peel Thunder 24.20 (164) to 6.3 (39).

Jesse Mirco kicked five goals for South Fremantle from 22 possessions and 11 marks with Tyson Pickett also booting five majors from 18 touches.

Shaun Bewick responded to being dropped with 40 touches, nine inside 50s, seven marks, five tackles and two goals for the Bulldogs while Dominic Warrell, Brandon Donaldson and Matthew Grubelich all kicked two each.

Dylan Main finished with 33 possessions, Jordan Matera 29, Josh Branchi 23 (32 hit outs, nine marks), Jakeb Tartaglia 23, Noah Strom 20 (11 marks), Jacob Martinez 20, Bailey Matera 19 and Billy Collier 19.

It was tough going for Peel's reserves but Keegan Power impressed with 22 possessions while Alexander Bray had 16 to go with eight marks and a goal.

The colts then finished proceedings at Fremantle Community Bank Oval on Saturday night with South Fremantle defeating Peel Thunder 14.14 (98) to 11.5 (71).

Seaton Thompson and Antionne Forrest-Yarran kicked three goals each for South Fremantle, and Alex Robinson and Andre Coutinho two.

Daniel Burke gathered 23 possessions for the Bulldogs, Zane Sumich 20, Caleb Datson 18 and Enrique Aiken-Featherstone 16. Jacob Warne had 11 touches and 33 hit outs in the ruck.

Brett Milward kicked four goals for Peel with Tom Boyle and Damon Cramer booting two apiece.

Michael Humble racked up 30 possessions for the Thunder, Brandon Penny 18, Alex Cohen 16 and Jakeb Shine 16.

SOUTH FREMANTLE        2.3    5.6    9.10    16.11    (107)
PEEL THUNDER            2.3    5.4    7.7    9.12    (66)

SOUTH FREMANTLE – Goals: Saunders 3; Shaw, Strom, Kelly 2; Schloithe, Guglielmana, Stewart, Edwards, Johnson, Florenca, Hams.
Best: Hams, Cook, Kelly, Wilson, McIntosh, Strom, Guglielmana, Saunders.
PEEL THUNDER – Goals: Apeness 2; Smith, Bell, Haydon, Hancock, De Boer, Walsh, Ugle.
Best: De Boer, Barlow, Nyhuis, O'Brien, Hannath, Tucker.