South Fremantle has returned to the winners' list with a commanding performance against the lowly West Perth Falcons at Fremantle Oval on Saturday. The Bulldogs triumphed by 42 points, 15.12 (102) to 9.6 (60), snapping a two-game losing streak and keeping their finals hopes alive in the WAFL season.
Bulldogs Dominate from the Outset
The home side came out firing, booting five goals in the first quarter to establish a 23-point lead at the first break. West Perth struggled to contain South Fremantle's midfield brigade, led by captain Steve Verrier and on-baller Tom Blechynden, who combined for 45 disposals and three goals.
South Fremantle's forward line proved too potent for the Falcons' defence, with young gun Zac Strom kicking three goals and veteran Haiden Schloithe adding two. The Bulldogs' pressure around the contest was relentless, forcing numerous turnovers that translated into scoring opportunities.
West Perth Fights Back but Falls Short
To their credit, West Perth refused to throw in the towel. The Falcons kicked three goals in the third quarter to trim the margin to 28 points, raising hopes of an unlikely comeback. However, South Fremantle steadied in the final term, kicking four goals to seal the victory.
Key forward Tyler Keitel was a lone hand for West Perth, booting three goals in a losing side, while midfielder Mitch Antonio worked tirelessly with 28 disposals. But the Falcons' defensive frailties were exposed once again, as they conceded over 100 points for the fourth time this season.
Finals Hopes Alive for South Fremantle
The win lifts South Fremantle to sixth place on the WAFL ladder with six wins from 13 matches, just one game outside the top five. With seven rounds remaining, the Bulldogs have given themselves a fighting chance to feature in September action.
Coach Todd Curley praised his side's resilience after the match. "We knew we needed a response after the last two weeks, and the boys delivered. Our pressure around the ball was outstanding, and we took our chances when they came," he said.
Falcons' Struggles Continue
For West Perth, the defeat compounds a disappointing campaign. The Falcons remain rooted to the bottom of the ladder with just two wins, and their percentage has taken another hit. Coach Darren Harris acknowledged the gap between his side and the competition's better teams.
"We're not good enough at the moment. We showed some fight in the third quarter, but you can't give a good side a five-goal head start and expect to win. We need to be better for longer," Harris lamented.
Next Week's Fixtures
South Fremantle will look to build on this performance when they travel to take on East Fremantle in the local derby next Saturday. West Perth, meanwhile, face a daunting clash against ladder leaders Peel Thunder at Bendigo Bank Stadium.
