DEMONS IN STUNNING COMEBACK OVER BULLDOGS

By Mark Thornber

Round 2, Perth v South Fremantle

Fremantle Oval, Friday 28 March 2014

Perth                           2.3       8.4       13.6      19.9      123

South Fremantle        8.2       12.6      14.9      18.10    118

Perth came back from 44 points down early in the second term to hold on in the dying seconds and win a thrilling match under lights against the Bulldogs on Friday night at Fremantle Oval.

With Kris Miller celebrating his 300^th match it was the home side that came out all guns blazing in the opening quarter. Souths scored their first goal at the 2 minute mark through the lively Jacob Martinez.

The Bulldogs were full of run kicking to the Hospital end of the ground with key forwards Ben Saunders and Paul Mugambwa causing the Perth backline plenty of early headaches.

The Bulldogs kicked the first 3 goals of the match until first gamer Cale Morton snapped truly at the 15 minute mark. South Fremantle finished the quarter off in style in what was a dominant display to lead by 35 points at quarter time after booting 8 goals 2 to 2 goals 3.

The second quarter was much of the same unfortunately for Perth fans as the Demons continued to make crucial errors in the back line and turned the ball over too easily. Early in the second term Perth trailed the Bulldogs by as much as 44 points and were being completely outplayed.

Perth slowly started to work their way back into the match largely through the hard work of Dene White in the middle and consecutive goals to the lively Callum Collard. Dene White kicked a goal after a 50 metre penalty and this was soon followed by another to Brennan Stack.

However, as Perth slowly chipped away at South Fremantle’s lead a late goal to the home side before half time saw the Bulldogs take a lead of 26 points into the main break.

The second half started well for Perth as Centre Half Forward Joel Houghton kicked a long 50 metre goal to spark the Demons. Every time Perth chipped away at South Fremantle’s lead the home side responded.  Both Stack and Collard were now providing plenty of scoring options for the Demons with a centreline of Ugle, Michael Florio and Cameron Manuel gaining plenty of important possessions on the small ground.

The Bulldogs kicked back with a late goal to Marion Pickett but when Perth answered back with a great snap to Collard the Demons had now closed the margin to 8 points at three quarter time and were coming home to the scoring end of the ground.

Both teams were desperate for the first goal in the vital last term and it was the Bulldogs who goaled through Saunders to increase their lead to 14 points. With Leyendekkers now winning in the ruck White and Ugle continued to drive the Demons forward as they were looking good inside their forward 50 metres.

Some excellent conversions at the Prison end of the ground in the final term for Perth to Stack and then Kieran Hug suddenly saw the Demons close the margin to just 2 points. At the 20 minute mark of the quarter and with Perth now having all the momentum storming home they hit the front for the first time as Mitch Morton grabbed a wonderful mark and converted truly from the goal score.

With Joel Leeson and then Leyendekkers calmly slotting majors for Perth they found themselves in front by 17 points at the 30 minute mark and surely looked safe.

The home side though were not finished with and with two quick centre breaks resulting in goals the margin was down to only 5 points with surely only seconds remaining in the match. The time clock was now showing 35 minutes and again South’s kicked long inside their forward 50 metres. In front of a packed Bulldogs Members area they held their breath as Saunders dropped a chest mark in front of goal in the dying seconds.

As the umpire bounced the ball all fans were on the edge of their seats as the siren sounded to the delight of Perth supports as they held on to an exciting 5 point victory.

The win was certainly a fantastic character one for the club and gives the Perth faithful much to look forward to for the year.

None played better than the ever reliable White, who gathered 24 possessions and was well supported by the exciting Ugle. Collard played a great match and finished with 5 goals with Leyendekkers again showing he is a much improved player especially with his work rate around the ground as well as having 41 hit outs.

Perth had two players making their league debuts with Brothers Cale (league player number 1551) and Mitch Morton (league player number 1552) both playing well kicking 2 goals each and gathering 18 touches.

Next week Perth plays the defending Premiers West Perth at the Arena.

Goals: Collard 5, Stack 3, M. Morton, C. Morton, White 2, Leyendekkers, Leeson, Boyle, Houghton, Hug 1.

Best: White, Ugle, Collard, Leyendekkers, J. Morton, Hug.