Bulldogs just fall short of colts premiership hat-trick

CLAREMONT took advantage of the breeze in the last quarter to overrun South Fremantle to win the WAFL colts premiership of 2013 and end the Bulldogs' hopes of a third successive flag.

South Fremantle looked on track for a premiership hat-trick leading the grand final on Sunday morning at Patersons Stadium at every change, but Claremont had the wind in the final quarter and managed to kick the only three goals of the term, to win 11.10 (76) to 10.10 (70).

The Bulldogs kicked four goals to three in the opening quarter to lead by five points at quarter-time and then it was two goals apiece in the second term as well to see South Fremantle still hold a six-point advantage at the main break.

The breeze, and at times the rain, picked up after half-time and South Fremantle had advantage of it in the third quarter and kicked four goals to three to lead by 13 points at three quarter-time.

South Fremantle looked on target for the premiership hat-trick at the last change, but Claremont did have the strong breeze in the final term and took advantage.

The Tigers booted two early goals with Alec Waterman taking a good mark near goal square and kicking truly and then ruckman Darcy Cameron kicked a beauty from deep in the pocket to put Claremont in front.

South Fremantle was able to wrest back control and had several gettable shots on goal in the dying stages, including set shots to Jye Depane and Dylan Main, but they were unsuccessful and Claremont went on to win by six points.

South Fremantle finished the 2013 season in second position but won straight through to the grand final with a 23-point second semi-final win over Claremont at Claremont Oval.

Coming off winning premierships in 2011 and 2012, South Fremantle was in position for a third straight flag but it wasn’t quite to be.

Main was outstanding for South Fremantle, particularly in the first half when he had 17 possessions, and finished the game with 23 to go with six marks, four clearances and two goals.

Jarrod Garlett racked up 21 possessions also for the Bulldogs along with his six inside 50s and four clearances while Jacob Dragovich gathered 20 disposals, Jarrod Pickett 19, Bailey Matera 16 and Joel McComb 16.

Ben Sokol was terrific with 20 possessions, six tackles, six clearances, five marks and two goals while Matthew Ah Siu also kicked two goals for the Bulldogs.

The victory is Claremont's 13th colts premiership and first since 2009 and gives the Tigers another success on grand final day following the league winning the last two WAFL flags, and the reserves the last three straight.

Alec Waterman was outstanding for Claremont with 22 possessions, eight clearances, five tackles, seven inside-50 entries and two goals with the son of former West Coast dual premiership star Chris Waterman awarded the Mel Whinnen Medal as best afield for the colts grand final.

Jake Anderson also racked up 22 possessions to go with five clearances for Claremont with Jordan Law racking up 21 touches along with nine clearances.

Tom Barrass gathered 18 disposals, Ryan Lim 18, Harry Taylor 18, Jack Beeck 17 and Jared Hardisty 16 to go with his four clearances.

Ruckman Cameron was also superb with 12 touches, five marks, 38 hit outs, four clearances and the crucial final quarter goal.

SOUTH FREMANTLE 4.1 6.5 10.8 10.10 (70)

CLAREMONT 3.2 5.5 8.7 11.10 (76)

SOUTH FREMANTLE – Goals: Main, Sokol, Ah Siu 2; Gundry, Rioli, Bennell, Frampton.

Best: Main, Sokol, Garlett, Pickett, Matera, Dragovich.

CLAREMONT – Goals: Court, Waterman, Baum 2; Woods, Edwards, Carruthers, Higgs, Cameron.

Best: Waterman, Law, Lim, Anderson, Cameron, Barrass, Taylor.

Mel Whinnen Medal: Alec Waterman (Claremont).

By Chris Pike