Bulldogs finish strongly to down Lions

SOUTH Fremantle bounced back from a disappointing derby loss and two earlier defeats to Subiaco this season to finish full of running to down the Lions by eight points at Medibank Stadium on Saturday.

It was a game full of momentum swings all day at the Leederville venue, but it was South Fremantle who finished the stronger kicking six goals to two in the last quarter to run away with the 16.10 (106) to 14.14 (98) victory.

It was South Fremantle's fourth win of the season to now be within striking distance of replacing Subiaco in seventh position on the ladder with finishing with the wooden spoon now looking out of the running with the Bulldogs a chance to shoot further away from Peel in a fortnight's time.

While the Bulldogs have won just four matches this season to date with games against Peel, East Perth and Perth to come, they have been significant victories.

South Fremantle has now claimed three trophies for the season starting with the Foundation Derby win over East Fremantle in Round 11 before claiming the Garlic Munchers Cup in Round 18 with a win over West Perth and then on Saturday winning the Charlie 'Big Boots' Tyson Cup against Subiaco.

It has been a season of blooding plenty of youth at South Fremantle and another debutant got his chance against Subiaco with James Laurino playing his first league game and he did a tremendous job running with the Lions' State wingman Jarrod Kayler-Thomson and limiting him to just 15 possessions.

Fellow youngsters Jacob Martinez (26 possessions, seven marks, five tackles), Tim Kelly (21 disposals) and Brendan Verrier (16 disposals, one goal) all continued their impressive form through the middle as well.

Up forward, South Fremantle's forward-line was outstanding led last year's Bernie Naylor Medal winner Ben Saunders kicking six goals.

Even though the majority of them were from him being on the good work to get the ball to him in the goal square, he still finished with the six majors to show just how much he has been missed this season having broken his collarbone twice.

Veteran Kris Miller has settled across half-forward rather than on the ball late in the season and he was tremendous in that role setting up a handful of goals while kicking three himself to go with his 20 possessions and four entries inside the forward 50.

Paul Mugambwa also kicked three goals for the Bulldogs from just the five kicks for the afternoon.

Ruckman Sean Tighe worked tirelessly up against both Aidan Parker and Andrew McDougall from Subiaco, and finished with 23 possessions and 25 hit outs.

Bulldogs captain Ryan Cook was outstanding with 30 possessions with Haiden Schloithe picking up 28 touches and Mitch Banner 22.

The South Fremantle back-line held up well also with Nick Borovac doing well up against the resting ruckman whether it be McDougall or Parker while Adam Guglielmana (22 possessions), Craig White (20), Adam McIntosh (20) and Warrick Andreoli (15) gave good run and drive.

It was a see-sawing affair all afternoon between the two evenly matched sides with 13 lead changes throughout the game, but the Bulldogs hit the front at the eight-minute mark of the last term and were able to stay there.

It was a game of runs right throughout with Subiaco kicking three goals in six minutes in the first quarter after Mugambwa got the first goal through Mugambwa.

The Bulldogs hit back with three goals themselves in as many minutes before quarter-time, though, and were a goal up at the first change.

It was then goal for goal right throughout the second quarter with the Bulldogs holding a six-point half-time advantage and then the Bulldogs came out impressively after the main break with two quick goals to Saunders that were set up by good play from Miller and Mugambwa.

The Bulldogs led by as much as 17 points but then Subiaco got on yet another run with four goals in eight minutes just before three quarter-time to hold a 13-point advantage.

South Fremantle coach Paul Hasleby let his team know what he thought of them giving up the lead and his side responded with six goals to two in the final quarter.

South Fremantle's reserves also scored a thumping 18.14 (122) to 3.8 (26) win over Subiaco with Kaiden Matera booting four goals, Simon Panizza two, Marlon Pickett two, Zac Strom two and Myles Bolger two.

Alex Grima racked up 31 possessions to go with 11 inside 50s for the Bulldogs with Toby Bairstow collecting 28 disposals, Jarrod Parry 25 and Jarrad Winter 25 to go with five tackles and a goal.

The Bulldogs colts also managed to beat Subiaco comfortably by 48 points with Willie Rioli starring by kicking six goals with Jarrod Pickett and Jye Depane adding two apiece.

Bailey Matera racked up 31 possessions for the Bulldogs with Jacob Dragovich also picking up 27 touches, Matthew Ah Siu 19 and Jakeb Tartaglia 18.

SOUTH FREMANTLE 5.3 7.7 10.9 16.10 (106)

SUBIACO 4.3 6.7 12.10 14.14 (98)

SOUTH FREMANTLE – Goals: Saunders 6; Mugambwa, Miller 3; Schloithe, Guglielmana, Gillespie, Verrier.

Best: Schloithe, Miller, Cook, Martinez, Laurino, Kelly, Guglielmana, Tighe.

SUBIACO – Goals: Le Fanu 3; Wood, Halligan 2; McDougall, Stevenson, Phelan, Mahoney, Hampson, Parker, Waters.

Best: Hampson, Daniels, Phelan, Davey, Le Fanu.

By Chris Pike