Slow start against Tigers costly for Bulldogs despite dominance thereafter

DESPITE dominating the last three quarters of the game, South Fremantle fell four points short of the fast-starting Claremont in the traditional NAIDOC Round clash at the Claremont Showground on Saturday.

Claremont was on fire in the first quarter kicking seven goals to two and even though South Fremantle controlled the contest from that point forward with six goals to two over the last three quarters, the Tigers held on to win 9.10 (64) to 8.12 (60).

The loss sees South Fremantle slip outside of the WAFL's top five with a 7-7 record and games to finish the season now at home to East Perth, Peel and West Perth, and away to East Fremantle, Subiaco and the Thunder as the Bulldogs try to play finals football for the first time since 2011.

Brendan Verrier put in a tremendous hard working performance on the wing for South Fremantle racking up a game-high 33 possessions while driving the ball inside-50 on four occasions.

Ashton Hams continued his terrific form with another 30 disposals and eight marks for the Bulldogs while Tim Kelly played likely his best game of the season coinciding with NAIDOC Round racking up 30 touches, seven inside 50s, six marks and four tackles.

Marlion Pickett again gave terrific run off half-back with 22 possessions with Blayne Wilson solid despite giving up size on either Kepler Bradley or Beau Maister for much of the day. Wilson also had 21 touches and eight marks.

Captain Ryan Cook also worked hard with 19 possessions and six inside-50 entries with Adam Carter picking up 18 disposals and Kyle Hams 18.

Brock Higgins worked tirelessly in the ruck up against premiership pair Mitch Andrews and Mark Seaby, and was able to hold his own with 11 touches and 22 hit outs despite giving up plenty of size and without any help.

Haiden Schloithe was again South Fremantle's most dangerous option in attack kicking three second half goals with Ben Saunders and Jacob Dragovich out injured, and Josh Pullman and Paul Mugambwa looking for form and fitness in the reserves.

The signs were ominous early for South Fremantle with Bradley taking two strong marks in the first 10 minutes and kicking truly, but the Bulldogs did manage a major in between through Traye Bennell who celebrated his return to the league side on NAIDOC Round with a goal.

However, the Tigers' forward-line was proving potent in the opening quarter with Jack Bradshaw kicking another goal and them Beau Maister adding two more before the Bulldogs got a steadier with Adam McIntosh snapping truly for his first goal of 2015, and second since the end of 2013.

Claremont kicked two more quick goals before quarter-time, though, including one on the siren to Isaac Baum and that saw the Tigers open up what proved to be a match-winning 29-point advantage at the first break.

The Bulldogs then got a quick goal in the second quarter with Jacob Martinez also celebrating his Indigenous heritage on NAIDOC Round with a goal. That brought back the margin to 22 points and it was still 23 by half-time with neither team able to add another major in a dour second term.

South Fremantle again got the first goal of the second half when Ben Sokol kicked a beauty from tight up against the boundary. That had the Bulldogs within 17 points but shortly after Bradshaw booted his third to steady the Tigers.

Coach Todd Curley decided the best option in attack was to isolate Schloithe out of the goal square and that started to pay dividends with him proving too clever getting away from his opponents.

He kicked two quick goals in the third quarter, but a steadier for Claremont again to Bradshaw still had the Tigers leading by 17 points at three quarter-time.

South Fremantle was totally dominant in the last quarter peppering the ball inside-50 on countless occasions. Schloithe did kick his third goal and then Cory Dell'Olio marked strongly and converted to make the margin six points at the 18-minute mark.

The Bulldogs continued to attack right up until the final siren but just couldn’t quite find the match-winning goal.

Meanwhile, South Fremantle's reserves maintained its hold on top of the ladder with an 11.12 (78) to 8.7 (55) victory over Claremont at the Showground.

Kaiden Matera kicked four goals for the Bulldogs with Callum Ah Chee showing outstanding signs in his first taste of senior football with 23 possessions, six marks and two goals.

Shaun Bewick put his hand up for a league recall with 41 possessions and 13 marks for South Fremantle while Matthew Ah Siu gathered 30 disposals, Anthony Collica 30, Tim Stewart 28, James Laurino 23, Simon Panizza 20 and Matthew Gundry 18.

South Fremantle's colts also recorded a convincing 14.11 (95) to 4.6 (30) victory over Claremont at the Showground to start the day on Saturday.

Jake Florenca kicked three goals for the Bulldogs with Mitch Dzelebdzic also kicking three majors, Brandon Colbung two and Anthony Nodari two.

Brandon Donaldson compiled 23 possessions for South Fremantle, Daniel Burke 22, Miles Barritt 21, Jesse Musika 21, Jesse Mudge 20, Florenca 20, Jesse Mirco 19 and Nodari 18.

SOUTH FREMANTLE        2.2    3.4    6.8    8.12    (60)
CLAREMONT            7.1    7.3    9.7    9.10    (64)

SOUTH FREMANTLE – Goals: Schloithe 3; Dell'Olio, Sokol, Martinez, McIntosh, Bennell.
Best: Kelly, B Verrier, A Hams, Schloithe, Pickett, Wilson, Cook.
CLAREMONT – Goals: Bradshaw 4; Maister, Bradley 2; Baum.
Best: Davies, Neates, Yeo, Bradshaw, Beeck, Tate, Ledger.