BULLDOGS IMPRESSIVE IN WIN OVER THUNDER

SOUTH Fremantle produced a dominant performance to hand Peel Thunder its first loss of the WAFL season with the 44-point victory at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.

The Bulldogs started the season in style beating the West Coast Eagles also at Fremantle Community Bank Oval by 43 points back in Round 1 before a loss to Claremont on the road last Saturday afternoon.

South Fremantle was back home on Saturday and bounced back in the best possible way by producing a dominant performance from the outset against the previously undefeated Thunder.

South Fremantle kicked eight goals to two in the first half to set up the eventual 13.14 (92) to 6.12 (48) victory to improve to 2-0 on the season which means they are back on even pegging on points.

Jacob Dragovich produced a brilliant performance as he thrives on his return after a year away for South Fremantle with 27 possessions, seven tackles, five marks, five inside 50s and two goals.

Jordan Gallucci, Brendon Ah Chee, Brandon Donaldson and Jimmy Miller all kicked two goals apiece as well for the Bulldogs.

The South Fremantle back-line was also superb with Noah Strom limiting Josh Treacy to four kicks and one goal while Chad Pearson finished with 28 possessions and 11 marks, Toby McQuilkin 26 disposals and eight marks, and Jordan Boullineau 15 touches and nine marks.

Ah Chee also racked up 27 possessions for the Bulldogs, Tom Blechynden 25, Dylan Main 23 (11 tackles), Manfred Kelly 21, Roan O'Hehir 21 on debut, Aiden Hall 20 and returning premiership hero Brock Higgins 15 to go with 26 hit outs and eight inside-50 entries.

South Fremantle made the perfect start with an early goal thanks to captain Dylan Main, but when Peel responded through Clay Hall the stage was set for what loomed as a terrific contest.

But the Bulldogs had come out ready to make a statement and respond to last week's loss to Claremont, and added goals to Manfred Kelly, Brendon Ah Chee, Jimmy Miller and Brandon Donaldson leading into quarter-time where they would hold a 22-point advantage.

Both teams had trouble with their accuracy to start the second quarter and it took almost 17 minutes for the first goal to come and that was through a neat finish from Ty Anderson to help Peel cut the deficit to 18 points.

South Fremantle might not have kicked a goal up until 25-minute of the quarter, but the Bulldogs closed the half in blistering fashion with a pair of goals to Jordan Gallucci, and another to Jacob Dragovich which saw the home team in control by 36 points at the main break.

The Bulldogs then put their foot down further with a tremendous start to the second half beginning with a second goal to Ah Chee. Chase Bourne kicked a beauty soon after and suddenly the South Fremantle lead was out to nine goals.

Peel did go on a burst late in the third term with goals to Riley Smith, Josh Treacy and Jack Sears, but South Fremantle remained on top by 38 points at three quarter-time.

Donaldson then opened the last quarter with his second of the day to steady things for the Bulldogs and from there they went on to score the impressive 44-point victory with both teams now starting the season with two wins and a loss.

The Colts Super Round took place at Joondalup on Saturday and Peel won a thriller 14.9 (93) to 13.14 (92) against South Fremantle.

Riley Plunkett kicked three goals for South Fremantle and Harry Elphick two with Ashton Ferreira compiling 21 disposals, Jacob Whan 21 and Callum Copeland 21.

Meanwhile, Round 3 in the Reserves started on Saturday with South Fremantle beating Peel Thunder 15.12 (102) to 8.6 (54). 

Liam Brandis kicked four goals for the Bulldogs and Jack Blechynden three with Robbie Turnbull collecting 27 touches, Jarrad Doney 23, Jarrod Salmeri 22, Caleb Stephens 22 and Toby Dodds 22.

SOUTH FREMANTLE        5.2    8.8    11.12    13.14    (92)
PEEL THUNDER            1.4    2.8    5.10    6.12    (48)

SOUTH FREMANTLE – Goals: Dragovich, Gallucci, Ah Chee, Donaldson, Miller 2; Kelly, Main, Bourne.
Best: Dragovich, Ah Chee, Pearson, Donaldson, McQuilkin, Boullineau, Blechynden.
PEEL THUNDER – Goals: Anderson, Barnes, Treacy, Sears, Smith, Hall.
Best: Hall, Erasmus, Hancock, Bennell, Worner, Wilson.