Bulldogs deliver gutsy win over Thunder in Mandurah

DESPITE the absence of some key players and losing two more stars during the day, South Fremantle delivered a tremendous performance to bounce back from the Foundation Derby loss to beat Peel Thunder by 32 points on Sunday at Bendigo Bank Stadium.

South Fremantle came into the clash after losing to the WA Day Foundation Derby to East Fremantle and were without half-forwards Haiden Schloithe and Blaine Johnson to foot and hamstring injuries respectively.

Then Ashton Hams injured a calf in the first quarter and Adam McIntosh broke a bone in his lower leg during the game against Peel on Sunday.

But South Fremantle fought through that and the wet conditions in the Mandurah to end up recording the strong 15.11 (101) to 10.9 (69) victory over a team that had won its last three matches.

South Fremantle might have narrowly lost top spot to Subiaco by percentage after the Lions' 78-point thumping of East Fremantle, but the Bulldogs have a game in hand of the Lions leading into this Saturday's clash with West Perth at HBF Arena.

South Fremantle ruckman Brock Higgins was far and away the most dominant player on the ground finishing with 28 possessions, 46 hit outs and four tackles.

Peel was missing Fremantle big men Zac Clarke, Jack Hannath, Tanner Smith and Michael Apeness, and then Matthew Uebergang injured a hamstring early in the game on Sunday.

Debutant Nick Merritt fought hard against Higgins for 15 touches and 13 hit outs but was ultimately no match despite the 18-year-old sure to greatly benefit from the experience.

Tim Kelly continued his terrific form in the midfield for the Bulldogs with 22 possessions, seven inside-50 entries and six tackles while Shane Hockey finished with 20 disposals and six tackles, Steven Verrier 17 possessions and five tackles, Tim Stewart 17 touches and six tackles.

Shaun Bewick earned his spot back in the South Fremantle team and played well for 15 possessions and two goals with Jacob Martinez playing his first game since Round 2 and delivering 17 disposals, eight tackles and a goal.

Despite the wet conditions, South Fremantle's forward-line was productive with Ben Saunders kicking three goals, Zac Strom three and Mason Shaw two. Small forward Brandon Donaldson made his debut and looked lively and went on to kick the last goal of the game.

Peel managed the first goal of the game with Langdon booting his first of five for the day but South Fremantle responded firstly through Edwards and then Shaw. The Thunder regained the lead shortly after when Thorne goaled from the square.

But right on the siren Saunders goaled with a clever snap for the Bulldogs and the visitors led by that margin at the first break.

Two quick goals to Bewick and Cook to start the second quarter put the Bulldogs out to a 17-point advantage but the Thunder then delivered their best patch of the game and threatened to break it right open.

It started when the returning Shane Yarran kicked a goal bringing back memories for the Falcons of last year's grand final when he was at Subiaco.

Langdon then added his second and third goals of the day, Josh Deluca added another and Josh Bootsma delivered one from well outside 50 as Peel opened up an 11-point lead just before half-time.

However, late goals to Strom and Martinez just before the siren saw the Bulldogs manage to lead by a point at the main break.

The Bulldogs dominated the third quarter with Saunders kicking two goals in less than two minutes before Strom and Shaw both kicked strongly to help the visitors to a 26-point lead at three quarter-time despite being down Hams and McIntosh on the bench.

The game was then sealed to start the last term when Bewick kicked his second of the day. Peel rallied briefly with goals to Langdon and Blair Bell, but South Fremantle kicked the last two of the day thanks to Kelly and debutant Donaldson to score a strong 32-point victory.

The RediMed Colts action started the day with South Fremantle beating Peel Thunder 13.14 (92) to 4.7 (31) at Bendigo Bank Stadium.

Andre Coutinho kicked three goals for South Fremantle, Antionne Forrest-Yarran two and Jarren Colpitts two.

Daniel Burke racked up 29 possessions for the Bulldogs, Kyle Russell 27, Zac De San Miguel 26, Caleb Datson 26, Bruno Faulkner 22, Dylan Brown 20, Bodhi Corner 19 and Chad Pearson 18.

Jimmy Miller (15 touches, six marks, 13 hit outs) and Jacob Warne (14 disposals, 19 hit outs) both did well sharing the ruck duties.

And then in the reserves matches, South Fremantle scored a thumping 22.11 (143) to 10.6 (66) win over Peel Thunder.

Jesse Mirco kicked six goals for the Bulldogs to go with 22 possessions and seven marks while Noah Strom booted five majors, Tyson Pickett three and Brendan Verrier.

Josh Pullman returned from injury with 21 possessions and 14 marks while Brayden Andrews racked up 27 disposals, James Laurino 24, Dylan Main 24 and ruckman Josh Branchi 19 along with five marks, 33 hit outs and a goal.

SOUTH FREMANTLE        3.2    7.5    12.7    15.11    (101)
PEEL THUNDER            2.2    7.4    8.5    10.9    (69)

SOUTH FREMANTLE – Goals: Saunders, Strom 3; Shaw, Bewick 2; Donaldson, Kelly, Martinez, Cook, Edwards.
Best: Higgins, Kelly, Strom, Martinez, Bewick, Hockey, Stewart, S Verrier.
PEEL THUNDER – Goals: Langdon 5; Thorne, Yarran, Bootsma, Deluca, Bell.
Best: Langdon, Mzungu, O'Brien, Mathers, Ibbotson, Lawler, Walsh.