Bulldogs too good for Sharks in Anzac Day Derby

SOUTH Fremantle backed up its impressive win over West Perth with a commanding Anzac Day derby performance against East Fremantle to come away 17-point victors at East Fremantle Oval on Friday.

The Bulldogs controlled the contest virtually from the outset and led by as much as 46 points during the third quarter before the Sharks got as close to 12 during the final term, but South Fremantle steadied enough to win 13.5 (83) to 9.12 (66).

Coming off a win over West Perth that meant the Bulldogs have won nine of the last 12, and 15 of 23 overall at Arena Joondalup, the Bulldogs continued their run of impressive recent form at East Fremantle Oval.

Since 2000, South Fremantle has now won 15 of its last 20 matches at Shark Park with the last two being particularly impressive and on big occasions – the Foundation Derby last year and this year on Anzac Day.

Haiden Schloithe was best on ground for South Fremantle finishing the day with 27 possessions, six clearances, five inside 50s and four goals including the game's sealer at the 21-minute mark of the final quarter.

Ashton Hams was allowed to control the game for South Fremantle across half-back and racked up a game-high 37 possessions to go with 12 marks, eight rebounds from the defensive 50 and four tackles.

Captain Ryan Cook was given the job of minding the dangerous Bradd Dalziell and not only did he quell his influence, but finished with 27 possessions and 12 marks himself.

South Fremantle's key defenders Nick Borovac, Dylan Ross and Zac Strom were outstanding ensuring that Jack Perham, Ryan Lester-Smith and Rob Young had no impact on the contest.

Borovac also finished with 22 possessions and seven marks, and Ross 21 touches and eight marks.

Adam Guglielmana spent time forward and back, but when he was in the back half he was another calming influence and was terrific finishing with 18 possessions.

Toby Bairstow has been given run-with roles since returning the line-up for the Swan Districts game in Round 4 and he was given the big job on Rory O'Brien on Anzac Day.

Even though the Sandover Medallist racked up 30 possessions, he had little impact on the game while Bairstow also did well himself with 19 disposals.

Marlon Pickett also worked into the game nicely and when it counted finishing with 18 possessions, six marks, six inside-50 entries and three clearances while also showing off his tremendous closing speed with a crucial run-down tackle on the half-time siren.

Ruckman Brock Higgins again showed that he is more than capable of holding down the No. 1 ruck role for the Bulldogs getting the better of both James Bristow and Young, and finishing with 16 touches, 26 hit outs and most impressively seven clearances.

Ben Saunders, Josh Pullman and Mitch Carter all kicked two goals apiece for South Fremantle with Pullman playing his best game of the season with 11 possessions and seven strong marks.

East Fremantle did get the game's first goal inside 40 seconds, but Schloithe got his massive day off to a perfect start kicking South Fremantle's first goal.

The Bulldogs then went on to kick four more before quarter-time with Jacob Martinez, Craig White, Schloithe again and then Pullman kicking truly.

South Fremantle led by 25 points at quarter-time and then by 37 after six minutes of the second term when Carter and Saunders got on the board.

The Bulldogs didn’t manage another goal for the half, but were still in control by 28 points at half-time.

It was then a blistering start to the third term with quick goals to Pullman, Schloithe and Saunders inside the first eight minutes as they built up a game-high lead of 46 points.

Shaun Bewick kicked a beauty from 50 shortly before three quarter-time to ensure South Fremantle still led by 32 points at the last change.

East Fremantle did fight back with the advantage of the breeze in the final quarter and got as close as 12 points, but steadying South Fremantle goals for Carter and Schloithe secured the 17-point win.

South Fremantle's reserves, however, lost to East Fremantle by 49 points on Saturday despite 38 possessions, five marks, four tackles and three inside-50 entries from Kris Miller.

Alistair Gillespie also kicked three goals while Bailey Matera had 25 possessions, Billy Collier 23, Matt Gundry 21, Simon Panizza 21, Ben Sokol 21 and Jason Maskos 20.

Ruckman Myles Bolger also finished with 21 possessions, six marks and 30 hit outs.

The colts did score an impressive 77-point win over the Sharks with Cameron Loersch kicking five goals, Jarrod Pickett four, Billy Frampton three, Brad Kersten two and Matt Ah Siu two.

Pickett also picked up 22 possessions, Jarrod Garlett 20, Kade Stewart 19, Joel McComb 19 and Jacob Dragovich 18.

SOUTH FREMANTLE 5.2 7.3 11.4 13.5 (83)

EAST FREMANTLE 1.1 2.5 5.8 9.12 (66)

SOUTH FREMANTLE – Goals: Schloithe 4; Carter, Saunders, Pullman 2; Bewick, White, Martinez.

Best: Schloithe, Cook, Hams, Ross, Borovac, Higgins, Guglielmana, Pickett.

EAST FREMANTLE – Goals: Jupp 2; Read, Bourne, Howlett, Lester-Smith, Perham, R O'Brien.

Best: McNamara, Jupp, Stephen, Tropiano, R O'Brien, Read.

By Chris Pike