Match Report – Bulldogs too polished for DemonsSaturday, June 26, 2021 - 9:56 PM - by Alex Ventouras

AN accurate South Fremantle snapped their four-game losing streak against Perth by delivering an emphatic 34-point win at Fremantle Community Bank Oval on Saturday afternoon.

Bouncing back from their shock loss against East Perth before the bye, a young Bulldogs side outclassed a Demons team that couldn’t quite replicate the performances that have seen them rack up four wins against South Fremantle.

Considering South Fremantle has played in the past two WAFL Grand Finals, it was quite the impressive winning run for the Demons to hold over the Bulldogs, but it was never likely to continue Saturday even with the reigning premiers missing Dylan Main, Brock Higgins, Brandon Donaldson and Blayne Wilson.

The fast-starting Bulldogs, slammed on three goals in the opening eight minutes of play, including two from reigning Bernie Naylor Medallist Mason Shaw, who kicked three goals before the first break.

Demons midfielder Andrew Fisher went straight to Bulldogs superstar Haiden Schloithe before the first bounce and his tagging role on the Sandover Medallist lasted the entire match.

He did a good job limiting the influence of Schloithe, however this didn’t seem to make much of a difference to the Bulldogs dominance as they took a 24-point lead into quarter-time.

The second term started just like the first as ex-Demon Cody Ninyette booted a brilliant snap from the boundary to extend the Bulldogs lead to five goals. 

For the rest of the term, it was a scrappy affair with skills from both teams questionable, but the class of the reigning premiers gave them the edge, going into the main break leading by 45 points on the back of kicking 10 goals straight.

The Demons are no strangers to a comeback against the Bulldogs having come from behind in all of their four consecutive wins against the reigning premiers, so there was still some hope.

Fourth gamer Manfred Kelly and third gamer Jack Steel traded goals in an entertaining opening five minutes of the third quarter, but after Shaw slotted his fourth goal South Fremantle never looked back. 

Opening the Bulldogs last quarter goals was Ninyette, who continued his strong performance against his old team kicking his third with a brilliant running goal from 50, which was the final nail in the coffin for the Demons. 

Star defender Chad Pearson lead all disposals on the ground with 31 disposals along with Tom Blechynden (27) and Nick Suban (23) for the Bulldogs while Brant Colledge (20 disposals) and Michael Sinclair (20) led the ball winners for the Demons. 

YOUNG BULLDOGS HAVE PLENTY OF BITE
An exciting day for Bulldogs fans as this young South Fremantle team had half the side playing 10 games or less of senior football. Many of these players showed plenty of promise but none more than third game ruckman Hamish Free and fifth game forward Manfred Kelly. Free came into replace the injured Brock Higgins and won the battle against young Demon ruckman Jordon Reid who was just in his second game himself. Free finished with 13 disposals and 34 hit outs and looked strong all around the ground. Kelly booted three goals and finished with 14 disposals, looking lively whenever he went near the football, his pace and foot skills a standout, certainly one the Bulldogs fans will be excited about. The Bulldogs also blooded two more debutants with Aiden Hall and Trent Newton showing encouraging signs.

PERTH SKILLS NOT UP TO STANDARD
Expectations have been high for Perth the last two weeks as they’ve welcomed back a plethora of experienced players, however their decision-making and disposal have still struggled. Basic skill errors and turnovers in crucial parts of the ground have proved costly and experienced duo Chris Masten and Brady Grey have been the biggest culprits at times. The poor disposal in general from Perth as a team made it tough for them to stick with South Fremantle.

RACE FOR THE TOP HEATS UP
South Fremantle’s win comes as West Perth and Swan Districts have upset Claremont and Subiaco respectively meaning there’s now just two games between first and fifth place. The Bulldogs will be ruing their shock loss to the Royals two weeks ago, with a win in that game potentially seeing them sitting in top spot. South Fremantle will finish the round in third position but just percentage behind Subiaco while the Demons sit two games outside the top five in eighth spot.

OPTUS WAFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON – ROUND 12

SOUTH FREMANTLE        6.0    10.0    14.2    15.5 (95)
PERTH                2.0    2.3    5.10    8.13 (61)

SOUTH FREMANTLE: Goals – Shaw 4; Ninyette, Kelly 3; Rioli, Z Strom, Miller, Abbott, Hall.
Best – Pearson, Schlensog, Blechynden, Shaw, Suban, Maskos, Kelly.    
PERTH: Goals – Browne, Quill 2; Cary, Hayward, Steel, Nicholas.
Best – Grey, Sinclair, Fisher, Browne, Nicholas, Davis, Colledge.