Bulldogs fire to snap Lions' massive winning run

SOUTH Fremantle had been impressive to start the 2019 season and then went up another gear on Saturday to hand Subiaco its first defeat since the 2017 Grand Final coming away from Leederville Oval with a tremendous 22-point victory.

Coming off playing in the past three preliminary finals and then losing a host of quality, experienced players coming into 2019, there were plenty of questions surrounding South Fremantle's ability to remain a standout team this season.

However, six rounds into the season now those questions have been answered.

Heading into the State Game break, South Fremantle had looked tremendous over the first five rounds beating Swan Districts, West Perth, East Fremantle and the West Coast Eagles with the only defeat by just three points against the undefeated Perth.

So the Bulldogs had reason to feel good about how they were travelling heading into the clash with Subiaco on Saturday and they outplayed the Lions virtually all day to end up winning 12.11 (83) to 9.7 (61).

It was South Fremantle's first win over Subiaco since Round 1, 2017 and it was a first loss of any type for the Lions since they lost the 2017 Grand Final to Peel Thunder. By winning, the Bulldogs ended a run of 25 straight victories for Subiaco.

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There was plenty to like from the South Fremantle performance and it started in the middle with Brock Higgins continuing his dominant form in the ruck with another 16 possessions, 43 hit outs and six tackles.

Jake Florenca was superb in the midfield too racking up 29 possessions to go with five tackles, five inside-50 entries and four marks while Jacob Dragovich had another 20 disposals and 12 tackles.

Marlion Pickett made his first appearance of the season after a finger injury and had 19 possessions while Haiden Schloithe continued his good form with 18 disposals, four marks and a goal.

It was South Fremantle's small forwards who were especially dangerous with Kyle Russell kicking three goals from 15 possessions while Brandon Donaldson kicked two goals to go with 19 disposals.

Mason Shaw also kicked two goals for South Fremantle in a fascinating battle with state defender Jordan Lockyer.

While South Fremantle's midfield and forward-line was impressive, the back-line was without question the Bulldogs' great highlight of the day.

Noah Strom was superb not only shutting down young Subiaco forward Jack Mayo, but also having 21 possessions, seven marks and four tackles himself.

Blayne Wilson celebrated his 150th game with a strong defensive performance too to go with 13 possessions and six marks while Chad Pearson continued his good form with another 16 disposals.

Nick Suban also had 20 possessions and seven marks for South Fremantle off half-back while Jason Maskos did a superb shutdown job on former Bulldog Ben Sokol, holding the state full-forward to just 10 kicks and no score for the afternoon.

Subiaco did kick the first goal of the game through Ryan Borchet but then South Fremantle quickly steadied with three in the space of seven minutes from Haiden Schloithe, Dylan Main and Kade Stewart.

Kyle Russell then also kicked truly before quarter-time to see the Bulldogs lead by 13 points which became 18 to start the second term with a goal from Brandon Donaldson.

South Fremantle's hard running back into the forward 50 paid off again when Brendan Verrier ran into an open goal and when Mason Shaw kicked truly, the Bulldogs were still 18 points up by half-time.

Steve Verrier kicked a terrific goal on his left foot from the boundary early in the second half to put South Fremantle 25 points up, but Subiaco was always going to make a run and it happened through the middle part of the third term.

Subiaco kicked four goals in the space of 10 minutes to be back within a point, but South Fremantle steadied with two goals from Donaldson and Shaw heading into three quarter-time.

South Fremantle then kicked the first two goals of the last term through Russell to lead by 27 points and then go on to win the game by 22.

Earlier in the reserves contest, Subiaco defeated South Fremantle 14.7 (91) to 8.8 (56) at Leederville Oval.

Travis Abbott was impressive in attack for South Fremantle kicking five goals from nine kicks.

Zac De San Miguel racked up 33 possessions for the Bulldogs, Tom Blechynden 27, Jye Depane 20, Caleb Datson 19, Matthew Ward 19, Deng Maguang 19, Daniel Cabassi 18, Josh Loo 18 and Trent Reed 17.

Blair Della Franca continued his good form in the ruck too with 14 disposals, 30 hit outs, three marks and three tackles.

The day began at Leederville Oval with the colts contest with Subiaco openings its account for the 2019 season on Saturday morning with a 12-point defeat of South Fremantle.

South Fremantle got the better of the opening quarter on Saturday morning at Leederville Oval with the only three scoring shots and leading by nine points at the first break.

But Subiaco got into the contest during the third quarter kicking three goals to two from the Bulldogs as South Fremantle still led narrowly by two points at the half-time interval.

The Lions continued to build momentum through the third quarter with three more goals to one to lead by 11 points at three quarter-time.

It was then a goal apiece in the last term with Subiaco winning its first game of 2019, 7.7 (49) to 5.7 (37).

Lachlan Johnson had four shots on goal for South Fremantle from six kicks, and ended up kicking two goals.

Jack Musika gathered 26 possessions for the Bulldogs, Jaxon Bellchambers 21, Tyson Headland 20, Adam Correia 19 and Jacob Sax 19.

Solomon James battled hard in the ruck too for South Fremantle finishing with 12 touches and 41 hit outs.

SOUTH FREMANTLE        4.3    7.4    10.9    12.11    (83)
SUBIACO            2.2    4.4    8.5    9.7    (61)

SOUTH FREMANTLE – Goals: Russell 3; Donaldson, Shaw 2; Schloithe, Stewart, S Verrier, B Verrier, Main.
Best: Florenca, Higgins, Maskos, Suban, N Strom, Russell, Dragovich, Donaldson.
SUBIACO – Goals: Horsley 2; Waters, Moore, Litherland, Clark, Borchet, Walters, Lawrence.
Best: Horsley, Kitchin, Clark, Delahunty, Lockyer, Miller.