Bulldogs come up short against Lions after strong showing

SOUTH Fremantle put in a strong showing in difficult conditions at Fremantle Oval against the second-placed Subiaco but in the end losing two key players hurt as the Lions finished the better to win by nine points.

South Fremantle worked its way on top of the contest through the second and third quarters to lead by as much as 14 points and still by 11 at three quarter-time, but having just two fit men on the bench for the last quarter proved costly.

The Bulldogs already came into the game without key experienced pair Ryan Cook and Adam Guglielmana, and then lost Ashton Hams early in the contest after he copped a poke in the eye after picking up six early possessions.

Then just before three quarter-time, star full-forward Ben Saunders hurt his chest when attempting a tackle and had to be stretchered from the field after having already kicked two goals for the game.

However, South Fremantle refused to give up and put in a spirited showing but in the end Subiaco needed to win to remain in second position on the ladder and keep its hopes alive for the minor premiership, and kicked five goals to two in the final quarter to win 13.15 (93) to 12.12 (84).

Jarrod Parry played the best game of his 15-match league career with the Bulldogs finishing with 32 possessions and eight marks. It shows just why his perseverance was worthwhile following two knee reconstructions after making his league debut with six matches in 2010.

He worked back to play 12 reserves matches last year after his second knee injury including the premiership and now has fought his way into the league side for nine games so far this year, and on Saturday filled in the role of the injured Hams for much of the day and was terrific.

Alistair Gillespie was also playing just his fourth league match of the year and again impressed at centre half-forward and with stints in the ruck finishing with 22 possessions, eight marks, nine hit outs, six inside-50 entries and two goals.

No. 1 ruckman Brock Higgins again worked hard for the Bulldogs with 24 touches, six marks and 29 hit outs.

Haiden Schloithe gathered another 24 possessions for South Fremantle with Shaun Bewick finishing with 22 disposals, Tim Kelly 22 (and 10 tackles), Brendan Verrier 22 and James Sellar 18 to go with eight marks and 10 hit outs.

Craig White kicked another three goals as well for the Bulldogs with Saunders and Anthony Collica adding two apiece.

South Fremantle worked hard from the outset in difficult conditions and got its first goal on the board thanks to a big mark and straight kick from Saunders.

Both teams only managed the one major in the opening term with Subiaco going into quarter-time leading by a point but South Fremantle hit the lead early in the second term thanks to a clever goal off the ground that went straight through the middle.

South Fremantle then responded right away to a Subiaco goal when Kelly kicked truly and then when Gillespie booted two in quick succession, suddenly the Bulldogs were out to a 14-point advantage.

His first goal was particularly impressive when he bounced off a couple of Subiaco opponents and snapped a terrific goal.

The Bulldogs then led by eight points at half-time and despite the Lions coming out strong to start the third term to take the lead, South Fremantle regained the advantage to the tune of two points when Paul Mugambwa kicked truly.
Subiaco again regained the lead before South Fremantle once more responded thanks to Saunders.

South Fremantle's lead then stretched to seven points thanks to Craig White and then a terrific goal to Schloithe had the Bulldogs back out to a 13-point lead.

The Bulldogs maintained their 13-point advantage then when Collica added his second goal with a clever snap and they still were on top by 11 points at three quarter-time.

However, South Fremantle had just the two fit men left on the bench it was difficult for the Bulldogs to stick with Subiaco in the final term, but two goals to White still had them within nine points by the final siren.

South Fremantle's reserves managed just the one goal in the first half and four for the match in terrible conditions to lose to Subiaco by 38 points.

Jarrod Garlett, Jarrod Pickett, Emmanuel Collard and Traye Bennell kicked South Fremantle's goals with Adam McIntosh racking up 27 possessions, Marlon Pickett 25, Jacob Dragovich 22, Jarrod Pickett 22 and Mitch Carter 19.

Meanwhile, the Bulldogs colts had a slow start with a scoreless first quarter against the Lions before fighting back to trail by just seven points at half-time, but ended up losing by 22 points.

Joel McComb finished with 19 possessions and two goals for South Fremantle while Matthew Ah Siu finished with 33 possessions, Brad McPhail 27 and Brandon Donaldson 21. 

SOUTH FREMANTLE        1.3    5.7    10.9    12.12    (84)
SUBIACO            1.4    4.5    8.10    13.15    (93)

SOUTH FREMANTLE – Goals: White 3; Gillespie, Saunders, Collica 2; Schloithe, Kelly, Mugambwa. 
Best: Parry, Kelly, Higgins, Gillespie, Schloithe, B Verrier, Bewick.
SUBIACO – Goals: Waters, Boland, McDougall 2; Bristow, Horsley, Twomey, Phelan, Hildebrandt, Yarran, Moore.
Best: Horsley, McDougall, Bristow, Twomey, Hampson, Moore, Waters.