Bulldogs win sixth straight at Shark Park to return to top five

SOUTH Fremantle kicked the first four goals of the last quarter to secure a crucial win in the final derby of 2015 over East Fremantle with the Bulldogs returning to the WAFL's top five in the process.

East Fremantle kicked five goals to two in the third quarter with the advantage of the breeze at ATOM Stadium to lead by 11 points at three quarter-time, but South Fremantle made the most of the breeze in the final term to kick the first four goals.

Two of those came from tight angles courtesy of 17-year-old debutant Callum Ah Chee with Josh Pullman kicking truly from a set shot, and Cory Dell'Olio from a snap as the Bulldogs ended up winning 10.12 (72) to 9.10 (64).

The win sees South Fremantle replace Claremont in fifth position on the WAFL ladder while also winning its sixth straight match at East Fremantle Oval, and stretching the run of visiting teams winning Fremantle derbies to 11.

East Fremantle also recorded an eight successive defeat in the process.

South Fremantle's forward-line looked vastly more potent than in previous weeks with the return from injury of Josh Pullman, and injection of debutant Ah Chee and usual ruckman Brock Higgins.

Pullman provided a strong presence and took his chances kicking three goals as did Ah Chee in his first game of league football. He nailed his first in the opening quarter before then staying cool under pressure in the last term booting two crucial goals from tight angles.

Higgins might not have kicked a goal, but he provided a strong target up forward taking seven marks to go with nine possessions and 15 hit outs.

With Pullman and Higgins up forward, it allowed South Fremantle to use James Sellar in defence to good effect against East Fremantle's talls while Chris Luff also did well and Blayne Wilson was back to his best setting up play out of the back-line with 25 possessions.

Ashton and Kyle Hams both had massive afternoons for the Bulldogs with the former finishing with 37 possessions, nine marks, six inside 50s and four tackles, and the latter 32 disposals, eight marks, five tackles, two inside-50 entries and a rare goal.

Haiden Schloithe spent more time in the midfield for the first time since returning from his ankle injury to have 27 possessions, eight marks, five tackles and five inside-50 entries as well.

Tim Kelly also collected 22 touches for the Bulldogs, Brendan Verrier 22 and Jacob Martinez 20.

Craig White also worked hard across half-forward leading hard up the ground and then finding targets inside-50 from some precise kicking in his 14 possessions, eight marks and five inside 50s.

It took 12 minutes for the game's first goal to come and it was courtesy of East Fremantle skipper Rory O'Brien.

South Fremantle did manage to get on the board shortly after through Traye Bennell, but the Sharks had the breeze and had 13-point quarter-time advantage following goals to Brock O'Brien and debutant Matthew Bannister.

The Bulldogs then had the advantage of the breeze in the second term and took advantage kicking the only three goals with Ah Chee kicking a goal on debut before Pullman and Marlion Pickett also booted majors to help South Fremantle to a seven-point half-time advantage.

The game's momentum swung with the direction of the breeze again with East Fremantle dominating the third quarter.

Ruckman Jack Fletcher got the first goal of the term and then Brock O'Brien added his second and third, with Rob Young and Boston Williamson getting in on the act.

That did see the Sharks lead by 17 points but a steadying goal from Kyle Hams just before three quarter-time had the Bulldogs back within 11 at the last change and kicking with the breeze to finish.

The goal was the first for Kyle Hams in the WAFL Round 20, 2012 when he was at Swan Districts and it's his first for South Fremantle since Round 12, 2010.

South Fremantle then took advantage of the breeze in the final two quarter with two scorching passes from White setting up Pullman firstly for his third of the day, and then Ah Chee to kick a beauty from the boundary for his second on debut.

When Dell'Olio found a bit of space to snap truly for his first of the game, South Fremantle was in front again midway through the last quarter and then Ah Chee sealed the win with his third of the game. 

South Fremantle's reserves remain clear on top of the ladder beating East Fremantle 18.13 (121) to 7.7 (49) on the back of holding the Sharks to just the one point the entire second half while the Bulldogs piled on nine goals for the 72-point victory.

John Sgherza kicked four goals for the Bulldogs from 19 disposals while Anthony Collica three goals from 30 possessions.

Noah Strom kicked two goals as well for the Bulldogs as did Tim Stewart and Jacob Dragovich.

Bailey Matera also finished with 30 disposals, Stewart 23, Matthew Ah Siu 23, Dragovich 20, Dylan Ross 19 (eight marks), Zac Strom 19, James Laurino 19, Kade Stewart 17 and Nick Borovac 17.

South Fremantle's colts kicked five goals to nil in the first before the Sharks dominated the second half with eight goals to two to end up winning 13.9 (87) to 10.9 (69) to start the final derby day of the year at ATOM Stadium on Sunday.

Brandon Donaldson kicked four goals for South Fremantle while Jesse Mudge booted three.

Miles Barritt racked up 20 possessions for the Bulldogs while Jack McMaster collected 18 disposals, Jesse Mudge 18, Abel Brown 16, Jake Florenca 16 and Jarrad Lachlan 15.

SOUTH FREMANTLE    1.5    4.8    6.10    10.12    (72)
EAST FREMANTLE    3.6    3.7    8.9    9.10    (64)

SOUTH FREMANTLE – Goals: Pullman, Ah Chee 3; Dell'Olio, Pickett, K Hams, Bennell.
Best: K Hams, A Hams, Schloithe, Wilson, Kelly, Ah Chee, Pullman.
EAST FREMANTLE – Goals: B O'Brien 4; R O'Brien, Fletcher, Young, Williamson, Bannister.
Best: B O'Brien, Anthony, Williamson, Stephen, R O'Brien, Lester-Smith.