BULLDOGS EARN TOUGH WIN OVER ROYALS

SOUTH Fremantle had to fight hard but got the crucial win that was needed against East Perth at Fremantle Community Bank Oval on Sunday in the second last around of the 2022 WAFL season.

It was the last home game for the Bulldogs of the home and away season on Sunday against the Royals and while the Bulldogs had to battle hard all afternoon, they were able to kick the last two goals of the game to come away with the important win.

The 12.10 (82) to 11.7 (73) victory means that South Fremantle remains in fourth position on the WAFL ladder with 11 wins, five losses and a draw for the season.

That has the Bulldogs just a game out of top position still with one game to go and half a game behind the second and third placed teams.

So should any of the top three teams, West Perth, East Fremantle and Claremont, lose in the final round and should South Fremantle beat Perth at Mineral Resources Park, then the Bulldogs have a chance to finish ahead of any of them to earn a finals double chance once again.

Mason Shaw continued his run of season-best form up forward for South Fremantle kicking another three goals from eight kicks, eight marks and three goals in the win. Caleb Datson also kicked two goals for the Bulldogs.

Haiden Schloithe also continued his blistering finish to the 2022 season by starring with another 31 possessions, eight marks, six inside 50s, four tackles and a goal.

Tom Blechynden also gathered 28 touches for the Bulldogs, Brendon Ah Chee 20, Chad Pearson 20, Toby McQuilkin 19, Steve Edwards 18 and Jordan Boullineau 16 to go with 10 marks.

Looking to put a dramatic week behind them after a change in coach, East Perth made a strong start with Angus Scott kicking the game's first goal before South Fremantle responded soon after thanks to Caleb Datson.

Nick Suban then ran hard into space to take a mark and slot a second goal for the Bulldogs before Datson was able to find some space out the back too and run into an open goal as the home team opened up an early 10-point lead.

The Royals had come on a mission, though, and responded with a couple of quick goals of their own courtesy of Harley Sparks and Tom Graham to regain the lead.

Brendon Ah Chee and Graham then traded goals just before quarter-time and that meant scores were all tied after an entertaining opening quarter down at the port.

South Fremantle again threatened to pull away for much of the second quarter dominated the opening 20 minutes and that saw the Bulldogs kick goals courtesy of Haiden Schloithe, Tyson Headland Mason Shaw.

That saw the Bulldogs push out to a 22-point lead but to East Perth's credit they were able to finish the half strongly with late goals from Tom Medhat, Kyle Hamersley and then after the siren, Sam Van Diemen, and it was just a four-point ball game at the half-time break.

It was East Perth's turn to threaten to open up a handy lead in the third quarter with the first two goals courtesy of Jackson Ramsay and Van Diemen to see the Royals open up an 11-point advantage.

South Fremantle had to respond and they did kick the quarter's last two goals from Brandon Donaldson and Shaw to tie scores up going into the three quarter-time break.

That set up a big finish with South Fremantle needing the win to stay in the top three hunt while East Perth was just looking to cap off a big week with a memorable win.

Christian Ameduri put the Royals back in front to start the final term but it didn’t take long for South Fremantle's to respond with Shaw kicking his third of the day.

The two teams then traded goals again with Van Diemen and Main kicking truly, but then it was the South Fremantle captain who added a second for the Bulldogs to wrap up the important 12.10 (82) to 11.7 (73) victory.

The day began at Fremantle Community Bank Oval on Sunday with a narrow colts victory for East Perth over South Fremantle, 7.13 (55) to 7.8 (50).

Chase Bourne kicked two goals for the Bulldogs with Tom Regan collecting 22 possessions, Seth Connor 20, Jacob Whan 19, Roan O'Hehir 19, Ashton Ferreira 18 and Jordan Rodriguez 17.

It was then a big win for South Fremantle's reserves who beat East Perth 16.8 (104) to 6.7 (43).

Travis Abbott kicked three goals for the Bulldogs while Jack Blechynden, Ben Pears, Jermaine Pickett, Jake Hinder and Angus Fraser all added two apiece.

George Wessels racked up 28 possessions, Manfred Kelly 23, Nathan Spooner 22, Toby Dodds 22, Steely Green 21 and Aaron Drage 20. 

WAFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON – ROUND 19

SOUTH FREMANTLE        4.2    7.7    9.7    12.10 (82)
EAST PERTH            4.2    7.3    9.7    11.7 (73)

SOUTH FREMANTLE: Goals – Shaw 3; Datson 2; Schloithe, Suban, Ah Chee, Verrier, Donaldson, Main, Headland.
Best – Schloithe, Blechynden, Edwards, Pearson, Shaw, Boullineau, Ah Chee, McQuilkin.
EAST PERTH: Goals – Van Diemen 3; Graham 2; Ramsay, Medhat, Ameduri, Sparks, Hamersley, Scott.
Best – Schumacher, Jones, Brayshaw, Willcocks, Van Diemen, Cooley, Hamersley, Scott.