Exciting start to new WAFL season for Bulldogs

SOUTH Fremantle has opened the 2015 WAFL season in style with a 35-point victory over West Perth at Fremantle Oval on Friday night.

The 14.6 (90) to 8.7 (55) victory is the first time that South Fremantle has recorded a Round 1 victory since 2010 and it was the perfect way to begin Todd Curley's time in charge as senior coach.

West Perth kicked the first goal of the game, and season, but from there South Fremantle took control of the contest with the last four goals of the first quarter, and then never seeing their lead fall below five points before securing the eventual 35-point triumph over the 2013 premiers.

The last time South Fremantle won a Round 1 contest was in 2010 and on that night it was a memorable victory for the then reigning premiers against East Perth in what was also a Friday night season opener at Fremantle Oval.

South Fremantle controlled the game from across half-back and it was former West Coast-listed defender Blayne Wilson in his debut with the Bulldogs and Kyle Hams in his first game in the red-and-white since 2010 who were the standout players on the ground.

Wilson finished the game with 28 possessions and eight marks in a commanding display while Kyle Hams had 27 disposals in his first WAFL game since Swan Districts' first semi-final loss to East Perth in 2013.

Dylan Ross was another rock solid piece of the Bulldogs' defence along with Zac Strom, Adam McIntosh and Adam Guglielmana.

Brock Higgins had a strong game in the ruck as well for South Fremantle finishing with 17 touches and 43 hit outs giving his midfielders good service.

Ashton Hams took good advantage of that with 25 possessions to go with his seven tackles and two goals with Shaun Bewick collecting 25 disposals as well, Haiden Schloithe 21, Ryan Cook 20 (two goals), Brendan Verrier 20, Tim Kelly 18 and Anthony Collica 18.

The Bulldogs' forward-line also functioned well with Craig White leading the way with four goals while Ben Saunders added two and James Sellar provided a strong tall target taking seven strong marks to go with 12 possessions and a goal.

West Perth did kick the game's opening goal just five minutes in when Steve Potente was able to force the Bulldogs into a turnover in their defensive 50. Potente swooped and then got the ball on to a wide open Kerr waiting in the goal square who scored the goal.

However, from there South Fremantle hit back with the last four goals of the first quarter. The first came to veteran White and then Schloithe goaled courtesy of a 50m penalty before full-forward booted two in-a-row before quarter-time.

That saw the Bulldogs lead by 20 points at the first change before again West Perth kicked the first goal of the second term with Sandover Medallist Aaron Black nailing a clever snap.

Bulldogs skipper Cook responded for the home team shortly after to again make the margin three goals before successive goals to West Perth courtesy of veterans Andrew Strijk and Chris Keunen had the Falcons back within five points heading into time-on.

However, Cook responded with his second goal of the quarter for the Bulldogs and the result was an 11-point half-time lead for the home team.

The game was in the balance at half-time still but Ashton Hams came out and kicked the first goal of the second half to stretch the margin again to 16 points.

West Perth responded through Rohde but the Bulldogs reenergised veteran White kicked his second and third goals of the night in quick time, and then when Sellar kicked truly just before three quarter-time, South Fremantle looked to have a match-winning 28-point advantage. 

The Falcons gave a brief indication of a comeback to start the final quarter with quick goals to Kerr and debutant Michael Lourey, but it didn’t last and the final quarter soon became party time for the Bulldogs in the season-opener.

Josh Pullman goaled from a 50m penalty against Jordan Jones before the Falcons premiership player limped off with a hamstring injury. White then booted his fourth goal, Ashton Hams nailed one from 50 and debutant Traye Bennell ran into an open goal as South Fremantle won by 35 points.

South Fremantle's reserves also recorded a thrilling 8.13 (61) to 8.10 (58) victory over West Perth at Fremantle Oval on Saturday.

John Sgherza kicked three goals for the Bulldogs with Matthew Ah Siu chipping in with two.

Toby Bairstow ensured he put pressure on for a league spot next Saturday against Perth leading the way in the middle with 34 possessions while Sam Lowrie had 25 disposals, Bailey Matera 23, Tim Stewart 18 and Alistair Gillespie 18.

Josh Branchi was a dominant presence in the ruck for South Fremantle with 55 hit outs.

South Fremantle's colts ensured the perfect start to the season for the Bulldogs with a 13.12 (90) to 7.14 (56) win over West Perth at Fremantle Oval on Saturday morning.

Brandon Colbung was the star for South Fremantle's colts with six goals with Brad Kersten adding two while Callum Ah Chee gathered 23 possessions, Joel McComb 18 and Jake Florenca 17.

SOUTH FREMANTLE            4.2    6.3    10.5    14.6    (90)
WEST PERTH                1.0    4.4    5.6    8.7    (55)

SOUTH FREMANTLE – Goals: White 4; Saunders, Cook, A Hams 2; Schloithe, Sellar, Pullman, Bennell.
Best: Wilson, K Hams, Higgins, A Hams, Cook, Bewick, Schloithe.
WEST PERTH – Goals: Kerr 2; Black, Strijk, Lourey, Rohde, Keunen, Manning.
Best: Nelson, Kerr, Strijk, Rohde, Guadagnin, Tedesco.