Semi-final day to forget for Bulldogs but league side still alive

SUNDAY didn't go to plan for South Fremantle with the seasons ending for the colts and reserves teams while the league side went down to Subiaco but the Bulldogs now have a home preliminary final to prepare for.

South Fremantle's colts and reserves were both playing in first semi-final matches at Medibank Stadium on Sunday and ended up losing to East Perth and East Fremantle respectively to bring an end to their 2016 campaigns.

Meanwhile, South Fremantle's league side went down to Subiaco in the second semi-final but the Bulldogs now have another chance in the preliminary final to make the Grand Final.

Subiaco was coming off a bye in Round 23 and then a break in the opening week of the finals, but the Lions delivered a stunning patch of eight unanswered goals either side of three quarter-time to set up the eventual 14.12 (96) to 9.2 (56) victory.

While the win puts Subiaco into another Grand Final, South Fremantle will now host next Sunday's preliminary final against Peel Thunder at Fremantle Community Bank Oval with a spot in the decider against the Lions on the line.

It took until just before half-time for either side to manage to kick consecutive goals. South Fremantle got on the board first thanks to Blaine Johnson before Subiaco immediately responded through Clancy Wheeler.

Bernie Naylor Medallist Ben Saunders again put the Bulldogs in front drilling a goal from outside 50 before the Lions again replied through Leigh Kitchin. South Fremantle went into quarter-time three points up after Johnson managed to kick his second.

Wayde Twomey was celebrating his 150th WAFL game and he put Subiaco back in front with a goal to start the second term but again South Fremantle responded through Steven Edwards at the 19-minute mark to be back in front by a point.

Subiaco, however, kicked the last two goals of the opening half firstly through Wheeler and then with Liam Ryan goaling on the siren as the Lions opened up a 13-point advantage. 

South Fremantle opened the goal scoring in the third term with Saunders goaling at the 10-minute mark to make the margin five points, but the Bulldogs had missed several gettable opportunities and would soon be made to pay.

With the game on the line, Subiaco went up a gear and delivered a stunning burst for 12 minutes kicking six goals to go from being just five points in front to 42 at three quarter-time.

Ryan caught fire for the Lions kicking two goals in a minute with Brad Stevenson, Rhys Waters, Kyal Horsley and finally Brett Robinson all kicking truly.

Subiaco continued that momentum in the last term with early goals to Stevenson and Ryan as the lead blew out to 55 points. South Fremantle kicked four of the game's last five goals but Subiaco still managed to win comfortably by 40 points.

South Fremantle ruckman Brock Higgins did a power of work ending up with 19 possessions, five tackles, four marks and 43 hit outs.

Blaine Johnson and Ben Saunders both kicked three goals apiece up forward for the Bulldogs.

Marlion Pickett had his hands full with Ryan in defence for South Fremantle but he did play well himself ending up with 24 disposals and seven marks. Josh Pullman and Blayne Wilson were also strong defensively for the Bulldogs.

South Fremantle did miss the suspended Ashton Hams through the middle but Tim Kelly worked hard for 30 possessions while Steven Verrier finished with 20 disposals, Shane Hockey 19 and Jacob Dragovich 18.

The first semi-final action began at Medibank Stadium with East Perth beating South Fremantle 16.8 (104) to 11.5 (71). That sees the Royals advance to next Sunday's preliminary final against Perth while the season is over for the Bulldogs.

East Perth had to beat East Fremantle in the final round just to qualify for the finals and then the Royals beat Swan Districts last week in the elimination final and backed it up against the Bulldogs on Sunday.

The Royals started strongly and kicked six goals to one in the second quarter to lead by 36 points at the main break. The Bulldogs fought back strongly and got to within a goal early in the last term but East Perth responded to kick away and win by 33 points.

Shai Bolton was again terrific for South Fremantle with four goals from 19 possessions. Andre Coutinho and Zane Sumich also booted two goals each for the Bulldogs.

Dylan Brown finished with 22 possessions for South Fremantle while Caleb Datson collected 19 disposals.

Then in the reserves first semi-final also at Medibank Stadium, East Fremantle kept its season alive beating South Fremantle 14.10 (94) to 6.6 (42).

South Fremantle has won two of the last three reserves premierships but started to struggle for depth as 2016 rolled on and some injuries mounted to the senior playing list and unlike Claremont last week and now East Fremantle, they had players required at league level too.

East Fremantle finished the season in fourth place before holding on to beat Subiaco last week and now defeat South Fremantle by 52 points to advance to next Sunday's preliminary final against Claremont.

Jordan Matera and Jesse Mirco both kicked two goals apiece for South Fremantle from limited opportunities.

James Laurino racked up 35 possessions for the Bulldogs, Tim Stewart 26, Jake Florenca 26, Matthew Ah Siu 23, Bailey Matera 22, Adam Guglielmana 22, Abel Brown 18 and Chris Luff 18.

Young ruckman Tim English was again impressive for South Fremantle with 20 disposals and 18 hit outs.

SOUTH FREMANTLE        3.0    4.0    5.2    9.2    (56)
SUBIACO            2.3    5.8    11.8    14.12    (96)

SOUTH FREMANTLE – Goals: Johnson, Saunders 3; Cook, Schloithe, Edwards.
Best: Higgins, Kelly, M Pickett, Pullman, Wilson, S Verrier, Johnson.
SUBIACO – Goals: Ryan 4; Wheeler 3; Stevenson 2; Horsley, Waters, Kitchin, Twomey, Robinson.
Best: Kitchin, Ryan, Delahunty, Jackson, Wheeler, Phelan, Stevenson.