BULLDOGS FIRE ON NAIDOC WEEK TO BEAT TIGERS

SOUTH Fremantle hit back from a disappointing showing two weeks ago to produce a standout performance in tough conditions to beat Claremont in Saturday's NAIDOC Week clash by 34 points.

The Bulldogs were disappointing two weeks ago to become the first team to lose this season to the West Coast Eagles. They then had two weeks to stew over that and responded in the best possible way at Revo Fitness Stadium on Saturday.

South Fremantle responded well to the wet and windy conditions to limit the damage into the breeze in the first quarter and then dominate the rest of the way with six goals to two to end up winning 7.13 (55) to 3.3 (21).

The contest for NAIDOC Week continued the annual tradition started between the two clubs back in 2007 and South Fremantle retained the Jimmy Melbourne Cup for a third straight year.

Despite the absence of Dylan Main, Mason Shaw and Jake Florenca, South Fremantle improved to a 7-4 record with the win and to return to third position on the WAFL ladder.

Brendon Ah Chee had a memorable performance in his first game in NAIDOC Week for South Fremantle by producing a best on ground performance with 29 possessions and seven tackles.

Steve Verrier continued his terrific form in the midfield too for the Bulldogs with 28 disposals, nine tackles and a goal while Haiden Schloithe did a power of work with 25 touches, 13 tackles, seven inside 50s and a goal.

Glenn Byron also continued his career-best run of form with South Fremantle with another 25 possessions while Tom Blechynden had 18 touches, Nick Suban 18, Jarrad Doney 17 and ruckman Hamish Free 16 along with 39 hit outs.

South Fremantle's back-line was again miserly conceding just the three goals with Toby McQuilkin picking up 20 touches while Chad Pearson, Blake Schlensog and Noah Strom proved impenetrable.

South Fremantle hit back impressively from their most disappointing performance of the season to deliver their best showing to beat Claremont by 34 points at Revo Fitness Stadium on Saturday.

Claremont and South Fremantle continued their annual tradition of playing during NAIDOC Week for the Jimmy Melbourne Cup, and the Bulldogs made it three straight wins on the occasion with a tremendous performance in tough conditions.

South Fremantle was coming off a disappointing 41-point loss to the West Coast Eagles two weeks ago, but they bounced back strongly on Saturday despite the absence of Dylan Main, Mason Shaw and Jake Florenca.

The rain began to pour down at Revo Fitness Stadium just as the players ran out onto the ground and it didn’t let up most of the afternoon, and it was South Fremantle who handled the conditions considerably better.

Playing a physically strong brand of football putting a premium on winning the territory battle, South Fremantle held firm in the first quarter into the breeze and then controlled the rest of the contest.

The Bulldogs kicked six goals to two after quarter-time to end up winning 7.13 (55) to 3.3 (21) to have now beaten the Tigers in nine of their previous 12 meetings.

The win leaves both teams on 7-4 records after 12 rounds of the 2022 season with South Fremantle ahead of Claremont in third position by percentage.

The rain began to pour down at Revo Fitness Stadium just as the teams entered the arena and during the Welcome to Country to celebrate NAIDOC Week, and the rain was at its heaviest during the opening quarter.

That made clean possession a challenge but Claremont got the first goal of the game with Sandover Medallist Bailey Rogers kicking it off the ground in congestion at the six-minute mark.

It took until just before quarter-time for the next goal and that went the way of South Fremantle through Steve Verrier and it saw the Bulldogs lead by three points at quarter-time.

The driving rain made it difficult for the breeze to make much of an impact, but South Fremantle did have it behind them in the second quarter and they took advantage with an early goal to Tom Blechynden after a 50m penalty.

George Wessels then made the most of his return to the league side to add another for South Fremantle and when Brandon Donaldson kicked another, the Bulldogs were out to a 21-point lead and were still on top by 23 points at the main break.

It took more than 10 minutes for the first goal of the second half and it again went the way of South Fremantle through big man Jimmy Miller. 

Claremont finally kicked its second goal of game at the 18-minute mark of the third quarter thanks to small forward Tyron Smallwood, but only two minutes later South Fremantle responded through Haiden Schloithe when he sneaked through a low trajectory set shot.

That meant the Bulldogs were right on top by 29 points at three quarter-time and there would be no Claremont fightback with a goal each in the last term with South Fremantle ending up winning 7.13 (55) to 3.3 (21).

The day started at Revo Fitness Stadium with South Fremantle's colts scoring a big win over Claremont, 12.17 (89) to 4.9 (33).

Ed Graham, Max Foreman and Liam Brandis kicked three goals each for the Bulldogs with Christian Wilson racking up 33 possessions, Jordan Rodriguez 27, Roan O'Hehir 26, Chase Bourne 25, Graham 20, Jaren Carr 19 and Foreman 18.

The South Fremantle reserves then went down to Claremont 13.10 (88) to 7.6 (48).

Steven Edwards and Mason Shaw kicked two goals each for South Fremantle and Angus Fraser gathered 27 touches, Trent Newton 19, Toby Dodds 18 and Jaxon Bellchambers 16 while Lachlan Blakiston amassed 42 hit outs.

WAFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON – ROUND 12

SOUTH FREMANTLE        1.3    4.6    6.7    7.13 (55)
CLAREMONT            1.0    1.1    2.2    3.3 (21)

SOUTH FREMANTLE: Goals – Schloithe, Wessels, Blechynden, Verrier, Donaldson, Miller, Datson.
Best – Ah Chee, Schloithe, Verrier, Schlensog, McQuilkin, Byron, Blechynden, Pearson.
CLAREMONT: Goals – Smallwood 2; Rogers.
Best – Bolton, Gowdie, Rogers, Smallwood, Edwards, O'Connor, Lewsey.