WAFL Qualifying Final ResultsSaturday, September 3, 2016 - 7:36 PM - by Chris Pike

SOUTH Fremantle might have been playing its first final since 2011 but the Bulldogs delivered an emphatic performance against West Perth winning Saturday's qualifying final by 52 points at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.

The Bulldogs have qualified for the first time since 2011 and won their first finals match since the 2009 grand final on Saturday proving too good for the Falcons on their home deck.

South Fremantle made a blistering start kicking five goals in the opening 12 minutes with Blaine Johnson and Mason Shaw on fire combining for four of those.

But West Perth worked its way back into the contest and with 14 of the Falcons' players having taken part in last year's grand final and 10 of them premiership players from 2013, they were able to steady the ship.

That saw the Falcons kick four consecutive goals either side of quarter-time but the Bulldogs were able to steady to still lead by 18 points at the main break.

South Fremantle then turned in a scintillating third quarter with seven goals to one, including three to Ben Saunders, and that was enough for the Bulldogs to set up the 18.13 (121) to 10.9 (69) victory.

The result means that South Fremantle advances to next Sunday's second semi-final against Subiaco at Medibank Stadium with a grand final berth up for grabs.

Meanwhile, West Perth will return home to HBF Arena to host a first semi-final against the winner of Sunday's elimination final at Bendigo Bank Stadium between Peel Thunder and East Perth.

South Fremantle had 16 players taking part in a WAFL final for the first time with 20 of the 22 playing in a final with the Bulldogs for the first time, but that lack of experience in September proved far from a factor even against a finals experienced West Perth team.

There were stars all over the field for the Bulldogs and none more so than the forward with Saunders kicking four goals from seven kicks, Shaw four goals from 10 kicks and seven marks and Blaine Johnson three goals from 16 possessions and five tackles.

Ashton Hams also went forward to kick three second half goals to go with his 27 possessions.

Brock Higgins worked hard in the ruck for 42 hit outs and at ground level Brendan Verrier gathered 30 possessions, Dylan Main 27, Tim Kelly 25, Haiden Schloithe 24, Jacob Dragovich 23 and Shane Hockey 22.

The Bulldogs' back-line was every bit as impressive as those further up the ground led by Marlion Pickett who was dynamic ending up with 25 possessions and nine marks.

Matthew Gundry also had 25 disposals and 10 marks and Steve Verrier 25 touches, seven marks and a goal in a battle with Kody Manning.

Blayne Wilson and Josh Pullman were again strong in the key defensive roles while Jason Maskos held Max Duffy to one goal and six kicks.

Shane Nelson returned from injury for West Perth and battled hard in the midfield finishing with 32 possessions while Trent Manzone was another to never give up with 32 disposals, six marks and six inside-50 entries.

Rohan Kerr picked up 26 possessions as well for the Falcons, Corey Chalmers 22 and captain Jay van Berlo 21.

Blake Wilhelm had a good battle with Blaine Johnson in defence and had 19 possessions while Steven Browne had 18 touches down back as well and Luke Meadows 16.

Michael Lourey kicked three goals for West Perth and Joel Leeson two.

The colts qualifying final started the day at Fremantle Community Bank Oval with Claremont proving too good for South Fremantle, with the reigning premiers winning 10.11 (71) to 6.3 (39).

As a result, Claremont will take on Perth in a second semi-final next Sunday with a grand final spot on the line. South Fremantle plays either Swan Districts or East Perth in a first semi-final looking to advance to a preliminary final.

Matt Guelfi, Jake Waterman and Bailey Banfield all played for Claremont's colts after earning a taste of league football late in the season and were terrific. Waterman finished with 16 possessions, eight marks and a goal, Guelfi 19 disposals, six tackles and two goals, and Banfield 32 touches and five tackles.

Sam Petrevski-Seton also had 25 possessions and six tackles for Claremont, Jacob Sideris 20 disposals and nine tackles, Josh Bennett 19 touches and Jeremy Goddard eight to go with 51 hit outs and a goal.

Shai Bolton kicked four of South Fremantle's six goals for the day to go with 17 possessions and five marks. Antionne Forrest-Yarran and Zane Sumich were the Bulldogs' other goal scorers.

Bruno Faulkner collected 21 possessions and laid seven tackles for South Fremantle while Kyle Russell finished with 20 disposals, Dylan Brown 17, Daniel Burke 15, Brodee Knight 15 and Seaton Thompson 15. Jacob Warne had 12 touches and 14 hit outs in the ruck.

Then in the reserves qualifying final also at Fremantle Community Bank Oval, it was again Claremont and South Fremantle doing battle. The Bulldogs dominated the first quarter with four goals with the Tigers not scoring, but Claremont took over from there.

The Tigers kicked nine goals to four after quarter-time to end up winning 9.11 (65) to 8.8 (56).

Claremont now moves onto next Sunday's second semi-final against East Perth at Medibank Stadium while South Fremantle will play either East Fremantle or Subiaco in the first semi-final at Joondalup's HBF Arena.

Jack Richardson kicked three goals for Claremont, Ben Higgs two and Alexander Manuel two.

Justin Speed finished with 23 possessions for the Tigers, Gerrick Weedon 23, Zac Langdon 19, Richardson 17, Matthew Palfrey 16, Morgan Davies 16 and John Williams 16.

Brandon Donaldson kicked three goals for South Fremantle and Anthony Nodari two.

Adam Guglielmana returned from a hamstring injury and was terrific with 32 possessions while Billy Collier had it 28 times, Matthew Ah Siu 26, Josh Collard 24, Jake Florenca 24, Steve Edwards 23, Jesse Musika 21 and Tim Stewart 20.

Young ruckman Tim English was again impressive for South Fremantle with 20 possessions, nine marks and 29 hit outs.

WAFL QUALIFYING FINAL RESULTS
LEAGUE
South Fremantle 18.13 (121) defeated West Perth 10.9 (69)

RESERVES
Claremont 9.11 (65) defeated South Fremantle 8.8 (56)

COLTS
Claremont 10.11 (71) defeated South Fremantle 6.3 (39)