TIGERS BREAK BULLDOGS HEARTS

IT was another heartbreaking loss this season for South Fremantle on Saturday with Claremont kicking the last goal of the game to snatch the four-point NAIDOC Week victory.

South Fremantle played host to Claremont for the now annual NAIDOC Week fixture between the two clubs for the Jimmy Melbourne Cup dating back to 2007, and the Bulldogs were on top for most of the afternoon.

South Fremantle led by eight points at quarter-time, 10 at half-time and 10 at three quarter-time before that lead got out to 16 with the first goal of the last term.

However, Claremont fired back which has become the trademark of the Tigers this season and after Jimmy Miller appeared to be the hero for the Bulldogs with his fourth goal, there was time for Rogers to kick the winner as the Tigers prevailed 9.6 (60) to 8.8 (56).

The two key forwards of either team kicked an early goal with Jimmy Miller getting on the board for South Fremantle and Max Minear for Claremont. Brandon Donaldson then added another for the Bulldogs to see the home team lead by eight points by quarter-time.

Claremont kicked the first goal of the second term courtesy of Alex Manuel but the Bulldogs answered thanks to Jacob Dragovich. Zac Mainwaring kept the Tigers close but South Fremantle closed the half with a second goal to Jimmy Miller to remain leading by 10 at the main break.

The goal for goal trend continued in the third quarter with an early Claremont goal to Tyron Smallwood responded to by Chase Bourne. 

Ben Elliott then brought the Tigers back within five points before Miller's third goal for South Fremantle ensured the home side were still up by 11 points at three quarter-time.

The South Fremantle lead was then 16 points to start the final term with a second goal to Bourne and they were in prime position to knock off the league-leaders.

However, Claremont has produced some impressive fight backs this season and couldn’t be ruled out, and the Tigers were right back in the contest with goals to Anthony Treacy and Minear. Then at the 23-minute mark, Smallwood marked and kicked truly to put the visitors in front.

That was only the start of the drama with Miller's big day for NAIDOC Week continuing up the other end. His big frame didn’t give his defender Jack Maibaum a chance to get around and he grabbed the mark, and went back to continue his knack for kicking clutch goals.

South Fremantle was back in front by two points at the 26-minute mark, but Claremont found a way to escape once more. Sandover Medallist Bailey Rogers marked and showed nerves of steel to go back to slot it, and give the Tigers the four-point win to stay clear in top spot.

In celebration of NAIDOC Week, Jimmy Miller proved to be the best forward in the game and kicked four goals for South Fremantle with one in each of the quarters to go with 16 touches, seven marks, five tackles and three inside-50 entries.

Chase Bourne also chipped in with two goals as a small forward for the Bulldogs.

Jake Florenca delivered a tremendous performance in the midfield for South Fremantle finishing with 29 possessions and 14 tackles while Caleb Stephens played the best game of his fledgling career. Spending more time in the midfield, he ended up with 26 touches and four tackles.

Tom Blechynden also collected another 24 disposals for South Fremantle, Glenn Byron 18, Kyle Russell 16 and Toby McQuilkin 16.

Meanwhile, Round 13 of the Reserves saw Claremont have a 14.9 (93) to 6.10 (46) win against South Fremantle.

Oscar Armstrong kicked two goals for South Fremantle as did Ed Graham with Seth Connor picking up 25 possessions, Aaron Drage 24, Roan O'Hehir 22 and Mitch Sinnott 19 while Solomon James had 19 touches and 35 hit outs in the ruck.

Then in the Colts, Claremont beat South Fremantle 13.14 (92) to 6.7 (43).

Callum Copeland finished with 21 possessions for the Bulldogs, Jacob Whan 20, Jordan Douglas 17 and Josh Taylor-Thorpe 16 while Jackson Broadbent made his return in the colts and had 18 touches, 20 hit outs, five marks and a goal.

WAFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON 2023 – NAIDOC ROUND

SOUTH FREMANTLE        2.3    4.5    6.8    8.8    (56)
CLAREMONT            1.1    3.1    5.4    9.6    (60)

SOUTH FREMANTLE – Goals: Miller 4; Bourne 2; Dragovich, Donaldson.
Best: Florenca, Miller, Stephens, N Strom, Blechynden, Byron, Russell.
CLAREMONT – Goals: Smallwood, Minear 2; Rogers, Treacy, Elliott, Manuel, Mainwaring.
Best: Edwards, Eastland, Bolton, Mountford, Rogers, England, Smallwood.