Strom delivers Bulldogs one-point win over Royals

SOUTH Fremantle backed up its stunning win over Subiaco with a heart stopping one-point win against East Perth on Saturday at Fremantle Community Bank Oval thanks to a Zac Strom mark and goal just before the siren.

South Fremantle's form throughout the 2019 season has been building nicely including handing Subiaco its first defeat since the 2017 Grand Final last Saturday at Leederville Oval.

That meant the Bulldogs came into Saturday's clash with East Perth full of confidence but the Royals came with a determination for a fighting performance too setting the tone for a terrific contest.

In the end, the game was decided when Zac Strom took a strong mark and kicked the goal just before the siren to put South Fremantle in front and secure the eventual one-point victory.

Mason Shaw continued his imposing form up forward for South Fremantle kicking another five goals from 14 possessions and six marks. He's now kicked 17 goals in the past four games.

Kade Stewart has been spending his time predominantly forward in recent weeks and kicked two goals for the Bulldogs to go with 14 touches, seven tackles and six marks while Andrew Haydon also kicked two goals.

Not only did Zac Strom kick the winning goal but he had two majors for the day to go with 15 possessions, seven hit outs and five marks.

Haiden Schloithe was superb for the Bulldogs with 30 possessions and six inside-50 entries while Jacob Dragovich racked up another 28 disposals, Jake Florenca 24, Shaun Bewick 23, Dylan Main 19, Nick Suban 17, Brandon Donaldson 17 and Haydon 17.

Ruckman Brock Higgins delivered another standout performance made up of 19 touches, 33 hit outs, four tackles, three marks and three inside-50 entries.

South Fremantle and East Perth both came into Saturday's clash at Fremantle Community Bank Oval in winning form and they went on to deliver a classic WAFL contest.

It always seemed destined that it would go down to the wire. Despite East Perth leading by 25 points late in the opening term, by half-time South Fremantle was back within a point.

The Bulldogs then looked capable of pulling away on a couple of occasions during the second half, including leading by as much as 17 points during the third term, but every time the Royals were showing encouraging fight and getting themselves within striking distance once more.

The Royals then kicked the first two goals of the last quarter to take the lead before Kade Stewart responded to put South Fremantle back up by five points. 

The Royals responded once more to get close thanks to Sharrod Wellingham. It took more than 10 minutes and not until the clock had move into time-on, but East Perth continued to press and eventually it was Wellingham tapping a goal in after an air shot from Shaquille McKenzie that put the visitors in front.

The ball was then anchored in South Fremantle's forward-line and eventually a scrambled kick found Zac Strom who was able to take a strong mark. He went back from about 30m and slotted the goal to put South Fremantle in front by a point.

The siren then sounded just after the ball was bounced back in the middle and South Fremantle came away with the stunning 15.13 (103) to 16.6 (102) win.

The win is a fifth straight for South Fremantle who improve to a 6-1 record on the season while the Royals are now 2-5 despite the improved form.

East Perth started its day at Fremantle Community Bank Oval on Saturday in impressive fashion with an 18-point win on the road against South Fremantle.

The players got to enjoy a bit more of a Saturday morning sleep in with the 11.30am bounce down time for the game and it was South Fremantle who started the better in search of their second win of the season.

The Bulldogs had six scoring shots to three in the opening quarter and kicked two goals to one to go into quarter-time leading by eight points.

Both teams managed to kick two goals apiece in the second quarter leaving South Fremantle to go into half-time still holding a four-point advantage over East Perth.

The Royals came out after the main break and took over the contest though. They kicked four goals to one in the third term to lead by 13 points by three quarter-time.

East Perth went on with the job in the last term too adding four more goals to three to end up winning 11.9 (75) to 8.9 (57).

Nathan Spooner kicked two goals for South Fremantle from 13 possessions and seven marks.

Manfred Kelly collected 20 possessions for the Bulldogs, George Wessels 17, Jaxon Bellchambers 16, Adam Correia 16 and Regan Ward 15 while Nash Miller had 12 disposals, 23 hit outs and four marks in the ruck.

The day's action at Fremantle Community Bank Oval ended with the reserves contest that saw South Fremantle also narrowly go down, with East Perth winning 11.6 (72) to 8.13 (61).

Trent Reed and Jonathon Frampton kicked two goals each for South Fremantle while Zac De San Miguel collected 18 possessions, Tom Blechynden 18, Josh Grant 18, Travis Abbott 15, Andre Coutinho 15, Reed 15 and Michael Coombes 15.

Blair Della Franca battled hard in the ruck for 14 disposals, 31 hit outs and three tackles.

SOUTH FREMANTLE        3.2    8.7    13.9    15.13    (103)
EAST PERTH            6.2    9.2    12.4    16.6    (102)

SOUTH FREMANTLE – Goals: Shaw 5; Stewart, Z Strom, Haydon 2; Dragovich, Florenca, B Verrier, Main.
Best: Schloithe, Bewick, Higgins, Shaw, Dragovich, Florenca, Z Strom, Suban.
EAST PERTH – Goals: Wellingham, Magro 3; Samelko, Houghton 2; Hille, Dobson, Ajang, Scott, Young, Arbon.
Best: Kerr, Cahill, McKenzie, Wellingham, Houghton, McGinnity, Ramsay.