Bulldogs Fast Start Too Much for Demons

South Fremantle’s first quarter goal blitz set the tone in their victory over Perth on Saturday, as the second-placed Bulldogs prevailed 21.10 (136) to 4.14 (38)

The Bulldogs, yet to lose a match this season, made the Demons pay for their errors with some impressive goal-kicking and running off the half-back line.

Perth, who were coming off a six-day break after a 49-point loss at the hands of Subiaco, were without skipper Dene and Spencer White, as they continue to nurse leg injuries.

South Fremantle’s start to the match was clinical, kicking seven goals to none to quarter-time with the aid of a slight breeze. The Bulldogs dominated the stats at the first change with forty-seven more disposals, seven extra inside 50’s and also had fourteen more tackles.

The Demons hit the scoreboard in the second quarter and kept the Bulldogs at bay in a relatively low-scoring quarter, with stand-in captain Jared Bell doing his best to curtail the South Fremantle forward line.

Bell, in just his 23^rd league match, was given the responsibility of the captaincy by coach Earl Spalding and repaid the favour by limiting his opponent’s influence on the match and created opportunities off the half-back line.

The Bulldogs persisted with their push from the backline and kicked five goals to two in the third term, stretching the margin to 63 points at the final change.

Perth’s goal-kicking woes continued without the presence of a key forward, with the Demons only conjuring seven goals from the last two games.

The Demons were beaten on the disposal count with 149 less touches than their opposition, but managed to win the inside fifty and tackle counts marginally.

Julian Jacobs (31 disposals including seven marks), Clint Jones (29 disposals) and Aiden Tropiano (22 disposals) were the only major ball winners of note for the home side, as nine players had less than ten disposals each compared to the Bulldogs’ one.

Brendan Verrier (31 disposals and two goals), Steven Verrier (30 and two goals), Ashton Hams (30) and Blaine Wilson (29) had the ball the most times for the Bulldogs, along with Mason Shaw who kicked five goals.

The colts continued their winning ways with a resounding 31-point victory, whereas the reserves lost their fourth match from as many games, going down by 34-points.

Perth will look to make amends when they take on East Perth next Saturday at Lathlain Park, with bouncedown at 2.15pm.

TOTAL

PERTH                                                 0.0       1.5       3.10     4.14 (38)

SOUTH FREMANTLE                           7.4       9.5       14.7     21.10 (136)

GOALS

PERTH: A Graham 1, A Tropiano 1, B Wolfenden 1, Z Fisher 1.

SOUTH FREMANTLE: M Shaw 5, S Verrier 2, S Verrier 2, S Edwards 2, B Johnson 2, B Saunders 2, R Cook 2, Z Strom 1, B Matera 1, T Kelly 1, H Schloithe 1.

BEST

PERTH: J Bell, C Jones, J Jacobs, B Edmonds, Z Fisher

LOSER: S Verrier, A Hams, M Shaw, B Verrier, B Wilson, S Edwards

UMPIRES: R Shelton, M Edinger and D Johansen

CROWD: 1500 (approx) at Lathlain Park