BULLDOGS BEAT DEMONS AT LATHLAIN

SOUTH Fremantle kicked the first three goals of the game on Sunday against Perth before being able to convert a three quarter-time lead into an eventual seven-point victory at Mineral Resources Park.

Both the Demons and Bulldogs were desperate for a win currently occupying two of the last three positions on the WAFL ladder coming into Sunday's match up at Lathlain in Round 14 of the WAFL.

South Fremantle kicked the first three goals of the game to open up a handy lead but Perth responded with five goals to three in the second term to go into half-time leading by three points.

The Bulldogs worked back on top with the only three goals of the third term and then from there held on for the eventual 10.9 (69) to 9.8 (62) win despite losing important defenders Chad Pearson (knee) and Toby McQuilkin (concussion) throughout the game.

South Fremantle started well with the game getting underway still in the morning on Sunday with captain Dylan Main marking his return with the first two goals of the contest for the Bulldogs.

Brandon Donaldson then kicked an impressive goal on the run to give South Fremantle the perfect start with the opening three goals before Perth got on the board thanks to a clever effort off the deck from Jye Clark.

Simon Hayward also kicked a goal for the Demons after the quarter-time siren to cut the Bulldogs lead to eight points.

Perth then started the second term well with a goal to Sam Stubbs with the Demons having kicked the last three goals after South Fremantle kicked the game's first three.

The Bulldogs responded thanks to big man Jimmy Miller before Demons midfielders hit back with goals to Corey Byrne and Charlie Thompson to put the home team in front for the first time in the contest.

Clark kicked a second to stretch the Demons advantage to 10 points before South Fremantle fired back with a couple to regain the lead through Main and Jordan Gallucci.

However, Perth had the last say of the half with a goal to Kristian Cary which saw the Demons on top by three points.

The Bulldogs opened up the second half with a goal to Kyle Russell to take the lead back and then Irish youngster Roan O'Hehir stretched the advantage to nine with the second goal of his seven-game career.

Miller closed the third term with South Fremantle's third goal while holding Perth goalless to grab a 15-point lead.

Perth was going to the scoring end in the last quarter and opened up with a goal from debutant Declan Grocott. Thompson then kicked his second of the day to put Perth back within three points at the five-minute mark and there wouldn’t be another goal for 17 minutes.

The last goal of the afternoon went the way of South Fremantle three-game forward Jack Blechynden and from there the Bulldogs held on to win by seven points.

South Fremantle captain Dylan Main came back into the team and kicked three goals for the Bulldogs from 16 touches, six tackles and five marks. Jimmy Miller also chipped in with another two goals on the back of his four from last week.

Glenn Byron was the leading ball winner in the game for South Fremantle with 22 possessions and five marks while Tom Blechynden collected another 21 touches, Roan O'Hehir 21, Jake Florenca 19, Caleb Stephens 19 and Aiden Hall 18.

Noah Strom produced another strong defensive performance to keep Perth's Harry Quartermaine scoreless and he will be called on for his leadership even more so should Toby McQuilkin and Chad Pearson miss significant time after their respective injuries.

Meanwhile, Round 14 of the Reserves had all four matches take place on Sunday beginning with South Fremantle defeating Perth 9.11 (65) to 7.9 (51) at Mineral Resources Park.

Aaron Drage finished with 28 possessions for South Fremantle, Toby Dodds 27, Jaren Carr 22, Seth Connor 20, Lachlan Taylor 18 and Angus Fraser 18 while Jackson Broadbent stepped up after playing colts last week for 15 touches, 26 hit outs, four marks and a goal.

Then in Round 14 of the Colts, on Sunday afternoon following the League clash, Perth defeated South Fremantle 19.17 (131) to 6.4 (40) at Mineral Resources Park.

Toby Whan and Tarkyn Etherington kicked two goals each for South Fremantle with Callum Copeland finishing with 24 disposals, Whan 23, Ashton Ferreira 16 and Kyle Brestovac 16.

WAFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON 2023 – ROUND 14

SOUTH FREMANTLE        3.4    6.6    9.8    10.9    (69)
PERTH                2.2    7.3    7.5    9.8    (62)

SOUTH FREMANTLE – Goals: Main 3; Miller 2; Gallucci, Russell, Donaldson, O'Hehir, J Blechynden.
Best: T Blechynden, Byron, Main, N Strom, O'Hehir, Miller, Stephens.
PERTH – Goals: Thompson, Clark 2; Byrne, Cary, Stubbs, Grocott, Hayward.
Best: Thompson, Byrne, Cooley, Johnston, Davis, Coniglio, Clark.