Youngsters can't quite get Bulldogs over Sharks in Anzac Derby

SOUTH Fremantle significantly lifted its intensity, got big performances from two young inclusions and had Ben Saunders take an incredible mark, but again a costly 16 minutes in the second quarter was costly with East Fremantle winning the Anzac Derby by 17 points at Fremantle Oval.

A terrific crowd of 5200 turned out at Fremantle Oval for the seventh straight Anzac Day weekend clash between the Bulldogs and Sharks, and despite the better signs from South Fremantle following losses to Swan Districts and Subiaco, it was East Fremantle who prevailed 13.15 (93) to 11.10 (76).

South Fremantle kicked four goals to one in the first quarter and continued to press hard in the final quarter, but conceding seven goals straight in 16 minutes in the second quarter to East Fremantle proved too hard to make up for.

There were good signs, though, particularly with the work of Brock Higgins in the ruck, Adam Guglielmana in the back-line, Josh Pullman up forward and then the exciting debut of Jacob Dragovich and terrific tagging job of Simon Panizza on Liam Anthony.

South Fremantle started strongly with the first two, and the last two goals of the first quarter to hold a 17-point advantage at quarter-time.

However, East Fremantle then came out on fire in the second quarter and kicked the first seven goals in the first 20 minutes to suddenly go from 17 points down to lead by 24 points.

South Fremantle, though, did steady just before half-time with captain Ryan Cook kicking two goals, and Josh Pullman adding another and East Fremantle's lead was cut to six points by half-time.

The Bulldogs kept trying to fight back into the contest throughout the second half, but couldn’t get closer than 11 points during the last term with the Sharks ending up winning by 17 points.

South Fremantle coach Todd Curley made five changes to the team coming into his first game in charge in a derby with East Fremantle, and two youngsters he blooded grabbed their chances with both hands.

Simon Panizza was given the run-with role on Liam Anthony in just his second league appearance, and first of the season, and did a tremendous job holding him to just the 11 possessions.

Jacob Dragovich then made the most of his league debut finishing his first match with 23 possessions, seven marks and a goal.

Brock Higgins worked tirelessly in the ruck for South Fremantle up against both Rob Young and James Bristow, and he finished with 22 possessions, 11 marks, 22 hit outs and five entries inside the forward 50.

Ashton Hams racked up 29 possessions for South Fremantle while Kyle Hams had 22 disposals, Adam Carter 21, Brendan Verrier 19, Ryan Cook 18 (and two goals), Steven Verrier 17 and Jarrod Parry 17.

Adam Guglielmana did a terrific job defensively holding George Hampson goalless and having 18 possessions while up forward, Josh Pullman proved the most effective target for the Bulldogs with 16 touches, eight marks and two goals.

Cory Dell'Olio kicked two goals and Ben Saunders did also to go along with taking a spectacular mark midway through the fourth quarter.

South Fremantle's reserves also suffered its first loss of the season after winning the opening five matches with East Fremantle ending up winning 15.5 (95) to 11.13 (79) at Fremantle Oval on Monday.

Alex Kirk kicked four goals for East Fremantle while Matthew Piggot added three, Chad Humble two, Dion Anthony two and Julian Locantro two.

Anthony also racked up 21 possessions for the Sharks, Aaron Holmes 21, Jacob Green 19, Locantro 19 and Dylan Coulthard 18.

South Fremantle's reserves had some regular league players injected into it including dual premiership 182-game league veteran Craig White and key defender Dylan Ross, but the Bulldogs still ended up suffering their first loss of the season.

John Sgherza, White, Alistair Gillespie and Ben Sokol all kicked two goals apiece for the Bulldogs with Sokol also racking up 23 possessions, 12 marks and six inside-50 entries.

Mitch Carter racked up 28 possessions and took 11 marks for South Fremantle while Toby Bairstow had 27 disposals, Lewis Harvey 24, Anthony Collica 21 and Matthew Gundry 18.

South Fremantle's colts started the day at Fremantle Oval with a 14.11 (95) to 9.10 (64) victory with Alex Robinson booting three goals and Shai Bolton, Joel McComb, Jake Florenca and Jesse Musika all booting two goals apiece.

Jamie Foster compiled 24 possessions for the Bulldogs with Musika adding 22 disposals, Florenca 20, Callum Ah Chee 18 and Brandon Donaldson 17.

SOUTH FREMANTLE        4.3    7.6    9.6    11.10    (76)
EAST FREMANTLE        1.4    8.6    12.13    13.15    (93)

SOUTH FREMANTLE – Goals: Pullman, Saunders, Cook, Dell'Olio 2; S Verrier, Bennell, Dragovich.
Best: Higgins, A Hams, Dragovich, Panizza, Guglielmana, Pullman, K Hams.
EAST FREMANTLE – Goals: R O'Brien, Perham, Stephen, Boyle, Lester-Smith 2; Bristow, Young, Henson.
Best: Eardley, B O'Brien, Stephen, Read, Chartres, R O'Brien, Henson.