Bulldogs fight but fall just short of Demons

SOUTH Fremantle wasn’t quite able to hold on and climb off the bottom of the ladder or celebrate Craig White's 150th game in style but Saturday's 10-point loss to Perth was an improved performance against an apparent finals bound side.

The Bulldogs were coming off disappointing losses to Subiaco and Swan Districts since the Foundation Derby win over East Fremantle, but put in a strong effort against the Demons before Perth eventually kicked the game's last two goals to win 16.17 (113) to 16.7 (103).

Ruckman Sean Tighe was once again outstanding for South Fremantle as the best big man on the ground finishing with 26 possessions, seven marks, 35 hit outs, three inside-50 entries and a goal in the third quarter.

Mitch Banner continued his strong season with another good game with 29 possessions, nine marks, five inside 50s and two goals.

Paul Mugambwa kicked three first half goals for the Bulldogs with Alex Grima and Kris Miller booting two apiece as well.

Ashton Hams was another to boot two goals to go with his 24 possessions, five marks and three inside-50 entries.

The South Fremantle back-line was good led by Nick Borovac's job of keeping Perth captain Paul Bevan to just one goal. Unfortunately for the Bulldogs it was a crucial one at the 27-minute mark of the last quarter.

Dylan Ross also worked hard for 23 possessions and seven marks with Mitch Carter and Adam McIntosh picking up 21 disposals apiece providing plenty of run and drive off half-back. Adam Carter also did well restricting Kyle Reimers to just two goals.

Youngster Tim Kelly picked up 24 possessions and kicked a goal through the middle with captain Ryan Cook gathering 25 disposals and Toby Bairstow 20.

The Bulldogs started brightly with Banner snapping through the opening goal of the game. However, it took over 15 minutes for South Fremantle's next major to come and in the meantime Perth grabbed the advantage with four goals of their own.

The Bulldogs then turned on some exciting football, though, kicking five goals in an eight minute patch with Kelly getting the first, followed by Banner, Miller and then two in-a-row to Mugambwa.

South Fremantle led at quarter-time by 13 points as a result but Perth again came out and booted the opening three goals of the second term to lead by eight points.

The Bulldogs again finished the quarter the stronger, though, with the last three goals with two to Grima and Mugambwa's third to see the home side again in front at half-time, this time by three points.

It was South Fremantle who made the fast start to the second half through Adam Guglielmana just over a minute in, but then the Demons again steadied with two majors of their own.

It was then a see-saw battle for the rest of the match but when Hams booted his second goal for the Bulldogs at the 20-minute mark of the last quarter, they had the momentum and a two-point advantage.

However, Perth managed to kick the last two goals of the game through star forward pair Paul Bevan and Brennan Stack to secure the eventual 10-point victory.

The South Fremantle reserves kicked eight goals to three between the second and third quarters to open up a 27-point three quarter-time lead over Perth, but the Demons hit back with six goals to two in the final term.

However, the Bulldogs held on to win 14.14 (98) to 14.10 (94) against the reserves' top side.

Kaiden Matera kicked another six goals for South Fremantle with Sam Lowrie collecting 24 possessions to go with seven inside-50 entries. Shannon Burnett also did well with 16 possessions and seven inside-50 entries.

The Bulldogs' colts couldn’t back up last week's thumping win over Swan Districts with Perth coming away 12.12 (84) to 8.4 (52) winners from Fremantle Oval.

Matthew Ah Siu kicked three goals for South Fremantle with Connor MacDonald and Jermaine Lewis adding two apiece.

Jacob Dragovich racked up 29 possessions, Oliver Sexton 28, Bailey Matera 24, Matthew Gundry 21, Jakeb Tartaglia 18 and Jarrod Garlett 18.

SOUTH FREMANTLE 6.2 9.3 13.4 16.7 (103)

PERTH 4.1 8.6 11.11 16.17 (113)

SOUTH FREMANTLE – Goals: Mugambwa 3; Grima, Miller, Banner, Hams 2; Schloithe, Guglielmana, Tighe, M Carter, Kelly.

Best: Tighe, Hams, Borovac, Banner, Kelly, Ross, Cook.

PERTH – Goals: Stack 4; Houghton 3; Reimers 2; McInnes, Bateman, Bevan, White, Sketcher, Moody, Collard

Best: Tedesco, Hodge, Moody, Stack, Florio, White, Jacobs.

By Chris Pike