BULLDOGS HOLD OUT GALLANT SWANS

A BIG mark and goal from stand-in captain Mason Shaw saw South Fremantle maintain second spot and make it nine straight wins over a Swan Districts team that appeared to be running all over the Bulldogs at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.

South Fremantle has enjoyed an impressive recent dominance against Swan Districts and the Bulldogs did appear on track for another solid win when up 19 points late in the third quarter when Nick Suban kicked a second goal.

The Bulldogs had to win to ensure they stayed in second spot too and to remain an outside chance to still snatch the minor premiership, but Swans are locked into finals too and wanted to show they truly belonged.

Despite the 20-point deficit at the last change, Swan Districts were an inspired outfit in the fourth quarter. Two quick goals to Greg Ottaviano and then a beauty from outside the boundary to Brayden Noble suddenly had the black-and-whites in front at the 21-minute mark.

South Fremantle needed to respond and it was captain, in the absence of Dylan Main, who stood tall for a big mark in the goal square before kicking the goal at the 25-minute mark in a match-wining moment.

South Fremantle held on to win 10.16 (76) to 11.5 (71) from there to make it nine consecutive wins over Swan Districts and to remain in second spot and keep Swans in fifth position.

It was a fierce start to the day, both teams hungry for the ball and showing strength defensively.

While each side worked hard for possession, they both proved unable to maintain the ball inside 50 producing a near even rebound 50 count.

The Bulldogs grabbed their chances better, though, with goals to Blake Schlensog, Manfred Kelly and Mason Shaw to lead by 12 points at quarter-time.

The second quarter turned up the heat in a high intensity contest. South Fremantle was still up by 12 points when Cody Ninyette kicked truly midway through the quarter, but Swans would finish the half the better.

Jesse Palmer got on the board and then so did Brayden Noble on the siren with his second of the half and at main break the Bulldogs only led by two points.

South Fremantle then emerged from the tunnel with a new spark, going on to take back over with four goals to two in the third quarter to be up by 20 points at the last change.

Nick Suban scored two ripping goals with Zac Strom taking a Mark of the Year contender with an absolute screamer in front of the South Fremantle members.

The final term brought redemption for the Swans who produced four goals and briefly sneaked ahead.

Greg Ottaviano offered two majors to the side, but it was a late goal from Noble that pushed then in front by two points just inside time-on of the final term.

However, it was Shaw who sealed the victory for South Fremantle with a strong mark in the 25th minute that saw them reclaim the lead, with a behind from Cody Ninyette to finish it off.

A CHANCE AT REDEMPTION
South Fremantle led the way confidently for three terms but tired late in the game, leaving an opening for the Swans to make a comeback. Overcoming a 20-point deficit, the black-and-whites made use of a vacant goal square to produce four goals and take the lead for the first time all day in the 20th minute of the final quarter. Key players were Greg Ottaviano kicking two of the four goals, and Noble who came through kicking the major to get them ahead so late in the game. Despite holding off the opposition for five minutes, a late mark and goal from the Bulldogs stole their chances of a win.

OPTUS WAFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON – ROUND 21

SOUTH FREMANTLE        3.2    5.4    9.11    10.16 (76)
SWAN DISTRICTS        1.2    5.2    7.3    11.5 (71)

SOUTH FREMANTLE: Goals – Suban, Shaw 2; Dragovich, Ninyette, Pearson, Donaldson, Kelly, Schlensog.
Best – Florenca, Schloithe Blechynden, Suban. N Strom, Dent, Pearson.
SWAN DISTRICTS: Goals – Noble, Ottaviano 3; Palmer, Clarke, Fisher, Ireland, Wilson.
Best – Jones, Clarke, Erceg, Fisher, Turner, Noble, Notte.

CREDIT Sunday, August 29, 2021 - 11:20 AM - by Breanna Redhead WAFL website