Bulldogs fight back not quite enough against Thunder

SOUTH Fremantle staged a spirited fight back either side of three quarter-time to close to within less than a goal of Peel at Fremantle Oval, but the Thunder proved too strong to end up winning by 30 points.

Peel did appear in control of the contest leading by 32 points midway through the third quarter, but the Bulldogs then went on a terrific run of five consecutive goals either side of three quarter-time to get to within five points.

South Fremantle had all the momentum at that stage, but Peel was able to steady and kick he last four goals of the game to win 14.13 (97) to 11.1 (67) to further secure themselves in third position on the ladder in preparation for a first ever finals appearance.

South Fremantle's finals hopes are now all but over for a fourth straight season with the bye to come this week before finishing the year against West Perth at Fremantle Oval and then Peel again at Bendigo Bank Stadium.

Josh Pullman continued his strong form as the main focal point in attack for the Bulldogs kicking another three goals with him now having kicked 11 goals in the last four games since coming back into the team from a minor injury.

Cory Dell'Olio also had a purple patch late in the third quarter for South Fremantle kicking three quick goals to give the Bulldogs a chance.

Tim Kelly worked tirelessly for South Fremantle in the midfield with 27 possessions, five tackles, four inside-50 entries and a goal while Ashton Hams had another 28 disposals, seven tackles and seven clearances.

Callum Ah Chee might have starred on debut for South Fremantle with three goals, but he had his best all-round game on Saturday at league level with 19 possessions, five inside 50s and three tackles.

Captain Ryan Cook worked into the game in the second half finishing up with 21 disposals, six marks, four inside-50 entries and a goal with Anthony Collica also ending up with 19 touches and Brock Higgins battled hard in the ruck against Jack Hannath and Craig Moller to finish with 18 possessions, five marks and 31 hit outs.

Jacob Dragovich also had 17 possessions for the Bulldogs and Jacob Martinez 16 to go with nine tackles.

South Fremantle needed to beat Peel Thunder at Fremantle Oval to be any chance of still making the finals in 2015, but the Thunder always appeared in control with the Bulldogs forced to play catch up all afternoon at the port.

Peel got the opening goal of the game through Leroy Jetta and it was goal for goal for the rest of the first quarter with the Thunder heading into quarter-time with a three-point advantage.

The Thunder then kicked away with the first five goals of the second term to open up a 33-point advantage and it was still 28 points at half-time after a South Fremantle goal to Haiden Schloithe.

Peel re-established a 32-point advantage when Ugle kicked his second to start the second half, before Pullman's third helped to spark a South Fremantle comeback.

Dell'Olio kicked three goals in the space of seven minutes before three-quarter-time, and when Cook and Shaun Bewick kicked the first two goals of the last quarter, suddenly the Bulldogs were back within five points and had all the momentum.

However, that's where the comeback would stop with Peel kicking the last four goals of the contest through Eddie Dann, Max Duffy, Brady Grey and Ugle to end up winning by 30 points to further secure their place in the top five.

South Fremantle's reserves maintained its lead three games clear on top of the ladder with a thumping 21.18 (144) to 2.2 (14) win over Peel Thunder at Fremantle Oval.

John Sgherza and Ben Saunders both kicked five goals apiece for South Fremantle in the 130-point win with Jakeb Tartaglia also booting two majors.

Brendan Verrier dominated through the middle for the Bulldogs with 44 possessions, nine marks, six inside 50s and five tackles while Dylan Ross was outstanding at centre half-back with 32 disposals and 13 marks.

James Laurino also racked up 26 possessions for South Fremantle, Bailey Matera 26, Billy Collier 26, Kade Stewart 26, Tim Stewart 25, Matthew Gundry 21, Traye Bennell 21, Mitch Carter 20 and Dominic Warrell 18.

Peel Thunder and South Fremantle's colts swapped fourth and fifth positions on the ladder as a result of Saturday's clash at Fremantle Oval that saw Peel defeat the Bulldogs 9.8 (62) to 5.11 (41).

Jesse Mudge kicked two goals for South Fremantle's colts while Jamie Foster gathered 19 possessions (eight tackles), Jesse Mirco 19 and Jake Florenca 18.

SOUTH FREMANTLE        4.0    5.0    9.0    11.1    (67)
PEEL THUNDER            4.3    9.4    10.9    14.13    (97)

SOUTH FREMANTLE – Goals: Pullman, Dell'Olio 3; Schloithe, Bewick, Kelly, Collica, Cook.
Best: Kelly, A Hams, Ah Chee, Higgins, Martinez, McIntosh.
PEEL THUNDER – Goals: Ugle, Duffy 3; Jetta 2; Dann, Grey, Hannath, Moller, Taberner, Hurley.
Best: Ballard, Jones, Blakely, Duffy, Bootsma, Grey, Langdon.