Bulldogs hold on in thriller to beat Swans and move to fourth

SOUTH Fremantle has held on for a thrilling two-point victory over Swan Districts at Fremantle Oval on Saturday to improve to fourth position on the WAFL ladder on the day the 1970, 1980 and 2005 premierships were celebrated.

South Fremantle came into the contests following losses on the road to the top two teams, Subiaco and West Perth, so needed to bounce back and the Bulldogs did so winning a thriller by two points at Fremantle Oval, 12.10 (82) to 12.8 (80).

It was a memorable and important win for South Fremantle with the Bulldogs claiming the John Todd Cup and also winning in front of the 1970, 1980 and 2005 premiership teams who were having their 45, 35 and 10-year reunions on the day.

South Fremantle's win also saw the Bulldogs improve to a 7-6 record on the season and move into fourth position on the ladder ahead of the bye this weekend, and then another crucial clash with the fifth placed Claremont at the Claremont Showground for the traditional NAIDOC Week clash.

Captain Ryan Cook was outstanding all afternoon for the Bulldogs delivering a best on ground performance with 34 possessions, 16 marks, seven insdie-50 entries and four tackles.

Kyle Hams wasn’t far behind him starting the game on fire with seven disposals on the ball in just about the first five minutes, and ending the game with 32 touches, seven marks and four inside 50s.

Ashton Hams racked up another 30 possessions and five tackles as well for South Fremantle with Tim Kelly picking up 23 touches, Jacob Martinez 23 and Brendan Verrier 21.

South Fremantle's back-line held up well with Chris Luff holding Tim Geappen to one goal while Blayne Wilson blanketed Ricky Cary and Marlion Pickett was outstanding with his run and carry off the half-back line with his 25 possessions and a goal.

Adam Guglielmana was also freed up in his 101st WAFL game and had 20 disposals.

It was a new-look South Fremantle forward-line in the continued absence of Ben Saunders, loss of Josh Pullman and with Paul Mugambwa back in the reserves. James Sellar was again quiet and Zac Strom didn’t get into the game but Cory Dell'Olio was a welcome returnee kicking two goals.

For the second straight week, though, it was Haiden Schloithe who was South Fremantle's most effective forward kicking four goals from 16 possessions. Craig White also chipped in with two before coming off in the third quarter with a nasty cork to his back.

South Fremantle got off to a perfect start just over a minute into the game when White kicked truly in a fitting opening given he is one of three remaining 2005 premiership players at the Bulldogs.

Schloithe then got on the board as South Fremantle kicked the first two goals, but Swans steadied with the next two thanks to Ryan Davis.

Jacob Dragovich put the Bulldogs back in front, but late goals for the black-and-whites to Todd Banfield and Matthew Jukes saw the visitors lead at quarter-time.

Again South Fremantle started the second quarter strongly with White and Schloithe both kicking their second goals, and when Dell'Olio kicked his first the Bulldogs had the biggest lead of the first half at 12 points, but it wouldn’t last.

Swans kicked three quick goals in a four-minute burst just before half-time to enter the main break with a six-point advantage.

Once more it was South Fremantle who started the third quarter strongly with a goal to Brendan Verrier before Pickett kicked a beauty on the run after a couple of sidesteps of Swans opponents. When Schloithe added his third goal at the 19-minute mark, the Bulldogs led by 12 points.

Joel Houghton got a goal back for Swan Districts but South Fremantle maintained an 11-point lead at the last change after Ashton Hams goaled after the siren.

South Fremantle's lead then grew to a game-high 17 points early in the last term when Schloithe's nailed his fourth of the day, but Swan Districts wasn’t done with yet.

The black-and-whites kicked the next three goals to get to within a point when ruckman Nathan Blakely found a way to get a goal out of a pack at the 24-minute mark.

However, up the other end a quick snap out of a pack from Dell'Olio took a remarkable bounce on the goal line to end up through the major opening to see South Fremantle again lead by eight points before a late Swans goal to Tallan Ames made the final margin just two.

The reserves began the day at Fremantle Oval and Swan Districts handed South Fremantle its second loss of the season, winning 8.7 (55) to 7.5 (47) but the Bulldogs remain on top of the ladder despite the defeat.

Anthony Collica and Shaun Bewick both did all they could for the Bulldogs through the middle with the former racking up 40 possessions and eight marks, and the latter 34 disposals and 11 marks.

Matthew Gundry also had 24 possessions for the Bulldogs, James Laurino 23, Simon Panizza 22, Mitch Banks 18, Traye Bennell 18 and Mitch Carter 17.

Kaiden Matera and Josh Branchi both kicked two goals apiece.

South Fremantle's colts concluded the big day at Fremantle Oval coming away with an 11.4 (70) to 3.17 (35) victory over a supremely inaccurate Swan Districts.

Brandon Donaldson booted four goals for the Bulldogs with Brandon Colbung and Mitch Dzelebdzic adding two apiece.

Jamie Foster racked up 28 possessions, Bodhi Corner 25, Miles Barritt 20, Anthony Nodari 19, Daniel Burke 19, Jesse Musika 18 and Josh Collard 18.

SOUTH FREMANTLE            3.3    6.5    10.6    12.10    (82)
SWAN DISTRICTS            4.3    7.5    8.7    12.8    (80)

SOUTH FREMANTLE – Goals: Schloithe 4; Dell'Olio, White 2; Dragovich, B Verrier, Pickett, A Hams.
Best: Cook, K Hams, Pickett, A Hams, Schloithe, Martinez, Guglielmana, Kelly.
SWAN DISTRICTS – Goals: Jukes 3; Rogers, Davis 2; Banfield, Houghton, Geappen, Blakely, Ames.
Best: Ames, Notte, Davis, Broad, Burnham, Howard, Jukes.