Bulldogs kick away to beat Sharks in ANZAC Day Derby

SOUTH Fremantle couldn’t capitalise on some dominance for two and-a-half quarters before delivering 10 of the last 12 goals to beat East Fremantle by 41 points in the ANZAC Day Derby.

The Sharks came into the clash at Fremantle Community Bank Oval on ANZAC Day desperate for a first victory of 2017 and looked a real chance of achieving that when leading by 19 points midway through the third quarter.

However, from that point on South Fremantle got rolling and kicked the next eight goals to set up the eventual 13.22 (100) to 9.5 (59) victory.

The 41-point win returns South Fremantle to the top of the WAFL ladder after six rounds with a 5-1 record. East Fremantle remains the only winless team stuck on the bottom at 0-5.

South Fremantle wasn’t taking its chance in front of goal in the first two and-a-half quarters and weren’t capitalising on some good play further up the field. It was a more efficient East Fremantle that put them up by 19 points midway through the third term.

But eventually the Bulldogs got rolling and given their dominance in a number of areas, the 41-point win could have been dramatically more. South Fremantle finished with 40 more disposals for the game, 18 more hit outs, a remarkable 31 more inside-50 entries and 35 scoring shots to 14.

Haiden Schloithe continued his outstanding form in the midfield for South Fremantle with 35 possessions, six marks, six tackles, six inside 50s and a goal.

Captain Ryan Cook stepped up for the occasion too ending up with 29 touches and a goal.

Tim Kelly was also a strong performer with 28 disposals and five tackles while Dylan Main contributed 25 possessions, Shaun Bewick 23, Jacob Dragovich 20, Jarrod Garlett 20 and Brendan Verrier 19.

East Fremantle tried to get on top of South Fremantle ruckman Brock Higgins by using Cameron Symonds against him at centre bounces and then Matthew Watson around the ground. But Higgins was tremendous with 20 possessions and 37 hit outs.

Blaine Johnson had a good battle with Sam Read for the game but still ended up kicking three goals from 14 possessions, six marks and nine tackles for the Bulldogs. 

Mason Shaw and Ben Saunders also had good duels with Dylan Winton and Matthew Jupp respectively, but still managed two goals apiece.

Cory Dell'Olio was also lively in attack for South Fremantle with 21 possessions, eight marks, seven inside-50 entries and a goal.

Blayne Wilson was again strong down back finishing with 23 disposals while Marlion Pickett also had 22 touches, six marks and a goal after moving forward in the second half.

It took 14 minutes for the first goal of the ANZAC Day Derby and that went the way of East Fremantle through Brock O'Brien. Just minutes later and the Bulldogs responded courtesy of Main.

But the Sharks took a six-point lead into quarter-time following George Hampson's first major of the day.

South Fremantle regained the lead to start the second term when Johnson got on the end of a terrific play. A good kick from Bewick on the wing found Dell'Olio a half-forward who took a strong contested mark. His kick then allowed Johnson to run onto it and into the open goal.

But East Fremantle took over from there with the next three goals. It began with Hampson's second at the 10-minute mark. Read then got forward running off Johnson to kick truly before Symonds also marked and goaled to give the Sharks the 14-point advantage.

The Bulldogs did get a goal back before half-time through captain Cook, but the Sharks still held an eight-point advantage in the hunt of their first victory of 2017.

The Sharks continued with their momentum with the opening two goals of the second half firstly through 149-game veteran Andrew Stephen and then a third to Hampson. That put East Fremantle 19 points up and suddenly a first win for the season was looking a distinct reality.

South Fremantle didn't agree though. One minute later Johnson kicked his second goal and the deficit was back to 13 points and then shortly after just six following a big goal from Schloithe.

The Bulldogs then hit the front at the 25-minute mark of the third term when Saunders kicked his first of the game after being well held up to that point by Matthew Jupp.

South Fremantle then went eight points up after Shaw added his first major of the contest and the home team was 10 points in front by three quarter-time following the last four goals of the third term.

The Bulldogs continued the momentum to start the last quarter with four goals in the opening 10 minutes courtesy of Garlett, Dell'Olio, Pickett and Shaw.

Suddenly after being 19 points down a quarter earlier, the Bulldogs were now 36 points in front and went on to win by 41 having kicked 10 of the last 12 goals of the contest.

The derby began right back on Saturday at Fremantle Community Bank Oval with the colts contest that saw East Fremantle defeat South Fremantle 12.15 (87) to 5.8 (38).

Jeremy Sierociak kicked two goals for South Fremantle as did Terykk Cox.

Michael Redman gathered 26 possessions for the Bulldogs, Regan Spooner 21, Kyle Hamersley 18 and Bruno Faulkner 16.

The reserves contest at Fremantle Community Bank Oval took place on ANZAC Day itself with South Fremantle remaining on top of the ladder beating East Fremantle 8.13 (61) to 6.15 (51).

Mitch Dzelebdzic and Alex Robinson kicked two goals apiece for South Fremantle.

Jake Florenca racked up 34 possessions for the Bulldogs, Jarrod Parry 26, Matthew Parker 24, Chad Pearson 23, Daniel Burke 21, Cruze Wilson 20, Noah Strom 19 and Josh Pullman 18 to go with seven marks.

Jake Solomon worked hard in the ruck too for 17 disposals and 42 hit outs.

The Bulldogs now have the Round 7 bye following the ANZAC Day clash with South Fremantle to face Perth at Lathlain Park in Round 8.

SOUTH FREMANTLE        1.3    3.7    7.14    13.22    (100)
EAST FREMANTLE        2.3    5.3    7.4    9.5    (59)

SOUTH FREMANTLE – Goals: Johnson 3; Saunders, Shaw 2; Schloithe, Dell'Olio, Garlett, Main, Pickett, Cook.
Best: Schloithe, Higgins, Cook, Kelly, Main, Pickett, Wilson.
EAST FREMANTLE – Goals: Hampson 4; Symonds 2; Stephen, O'Brien, Read.
Best: Bennett, Eardley, Marsh, Jupp, Hampson, Read, Lester-Smith, Schofield.