Bulldogs dominate Tigers for third straight win

SOUTH Fremantle beat Claremont for the first time since 2009 at Fremantle Oval and did it emphatically to the tune of 64 points for a third straight WAFL victory.

South Fremantle started the 2014 season slowly with four straight losses, but there was enough good signs against Subiaco, Perth and Swan Districts that things weren’t too far away from clicking.

And now that has happened over the past three weeks with victories against West Perth, East Fremantle and Claremont with Saturday's 17.13 (115) to 8.3 (51) thumping over the Tigers the pick of the performances at Fremantle Oval.

Not only was it South Fremantle's third straight win for the season heading into the bye and then a clash with the winless Peel Thunder, it was also the first time that the Bulldogs have beaten Claremont in 10 attempts since their last premiership year in 2009.

Jacob Martinez was best afield for South Fremantle and played the best of his 34 WAFL matches finishing with 31 possessions, 13 marks, five clearances, seven inside-50 entries, four rebounds from the defensive 50 and two goals.

Captain Ryan Cook was again outstanding with 28 possessions to go with 10 inside 50s, five clearances and six marks.

South Fremantle's back-line again stood up led by Adam Guglielmana who finished with 27 possessions while Dylan Ross had 24 to go with 13 marks while also keeping Claremont's ruckmen when forward quiet with help from Zac Strom.

Nick Borovac was again rock solid defensively holding Jack Richardson goalless while Ashton Hams had 22 possessions despite a close tag from Matthew Goyder.

Brendan Verrier also finished with 26 possessions, Steven Verrier 25, Shaun Bewick 21, Toby Bairstow 20 and ruckman Brock Higgins 17 to go with 20 hit outs, four clearances and four marks up against Mark Seaby, Mitch Andrews and Darcy Cameron.

South Fremantle's forward-line also proved potent with Ben Saunders kicking four goals and two each to Josh Pullman, Mitch Carter and Craig White to go with his 19 possessions, nine marks and five inside-50 entries.

Haiden Schloithe still contributed two goals from 14 possessions despite the tight tag of Claremont's Corey Yeo.

South Fremantle got the first goal of the game through Martinez and never trailed at all the rest of the afternoon in a commanding performance.

The Bulldogs' pressure was good all over the field including making it hard on Claremont's defence to get the ball out and that resulted in the second goal to Saunders, and then the veteran White kicked truly from a terrific set shot to make the score 3.2 (20) to 0.

Claremont did get its first goal shortly after, but again Saunders handballed off to White for his second goal and the Bulldogs led by 20 points at quarter-time.

Claremont had its best quarter in the second term and kicked four goals, but South Fremantle held firm with goals to Martinez, Saunders and Josh Pullman still making sure the Bulldogs led by 16 points at the main break.

The game certainly wasn’t over at half-time, but it didn’t take long in the second half for South Fremantle to stamp its authority.

Carter booted the first goal of the second half to stretch the lead to 21 points and then it was 27 after a goal to Adam McIntosh, 33 after Pullman's second and then 41 when Schloithe ran on to a ball in the goal square and scissor kicked it through for a goal.

The Bulldogs were in control leading by 36 points at three quarter-time and then booted six goals to two in the final term to end up winning by a massive 64 points.

It was a final quarter for the highlight reel as well with Saunders taking a big pack mark before kicking his third goal where he did a full 360 spin in the air.

Things didn’t go to plan for South Fremantle's reserves, though, with Claremont running out 17.15 (117) to 4.13 (37) winners.

Kris Miller worked tirelessly for the Bulldogs with another 41 possessions, six inside 50s and a goal with Traye Bennell booting two goals from 21 disposals.

Lewis Harvey also racked up 33 disposals, Billy Collier 27, Ben Sokol 23, Joe Pantano 22, Matt Gundry 21, Jayden D'Vauz 21, Jakeb Tartaglia 18, Matthew Nicholson 18 and ruckman Myles Bolger 18 to go with 29 hit outs and six marks.

South Fremantle's colts recorded a thrilling one-point victory over Claremont finishing up winning 11.10 (76) to 12.3 (75).

Cameron Loersch booted another four goals for South Fremantle to now have 25 for the season in seven matches.

Brandon Donaldson also kicked two goals for the Bulldogs with Braden Fimmano picking up 26 possessions, Corey Salmon 22 and Luke Pearson 20.

SOUTH FREMANTLE 4.2 7.5 11.8 17.13 (115)

CLAREMONT 1.0 5.1 6.2 8.3 (51)

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

Best: Martinez, Guglielmana, Cook, Ross, White, Higgins, B Verrier, S Verrier.

CLAREMONT – Goals: Bradshaw 3; Neates 2; Taylor, Seaby, Cameron.

Best: Blackwell, Yeo, Bradshaw, Aitchison, Goyder.

By Chris Pike