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Round 21 – Claremont v South Fremantle Match ReportMonday, August 14, 2017 - 9:23 AM - by Chris Pike
SOUTH Fremantle was better able to take its chances with the breeze at Claremont Oval on Saturday to win by 32 points and make it eight in-a-row and all but end the finals hopes of Claremont in the process.
South Fremantle came into the clash at Claremont Oval unable to move from second position on the ladder but there were plenty of pressure on for spots at the Bulldogs meaning no player in the 22 will be looking to drop their form over the last three weeks.
Meanwhile, Claremont just had to win to stay a realistic finals chance in 2017 setting the stage for a terrific contest.
South Fremantle was able to better take advantage of the breeze at Claremont Oval with six goals to one in the first quarter, and the only five goals of the third term to set up the eventual 14.9 (93) to 8.13 (61) victory.
The win is an eighth straight on the season for South Fremantle with the Bulldogs improving to a 15-4 record as they gear up for the qualifying final at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.
Claremont has now lost five of its past six matches to slip to a 7-11 record. Not only will the Tigers need to win the last two matches against Swan Districts and West Perth, but also need the upset of the season for Perth to beat East Perth and Subiaco to defeat the Falcons in Round 22.
South Fremantle came into the game without Haiden Schloithe along with key defenders Blayne Wilson and Josh Pullman with Jason Maskos also having his day ended early.
But the Bulldogs covered the absence of the star foursome well even if key forwards Ben Saunders and Mason Shaw were also held to just the one goal between them.
Cory Dell'Olio made a blistering start to the game with three goals in the opening 12 minutes and he went on to kick four for the afternoon to go with 18 possessions, four marks and four tackles.
Blaine Johnson and Tom Vandeleur each kicked two goals for the Bulldogs.
It was a new look South Fremantle defence without Wilson, Pullman and Maskos, but Zac Strom returned and played the key role well with Beau Maister held goalless for Claremont.
Adam McIntosh was strong with 14 possessions and six marks while Chad Pearson was impressive with 13 disposals and six marks. Steven Edwards provided good run again with 16 possessions.
Brock Higgins celebrated his 100th WAFL game with another strong performance in the ruck for South Fremantle with 17 possessions and 21 hit outs.
Tim Kelly worked hard again with another impressive display with a team-high 24 possessions and a goal while Ashton Hams returned to pick up 22 disposals. Dylan Main also had 21 touches, nine marks, eight tackles and a goal.
Brendan Verrier had 20 touches for the Bulldogs, Shane Hockey 17 and Steve Verrier 17 to go with six tackles, five marks and a goal.
Claremont ended up having 74 more possessions and 28 more marks than South Fremantle, but they were far too inefficient with the ball going inside-50 on seven less occasions and having two fewer scoring shots.
As a result the Tigers had some massive ball winners led by the returning Ryan Murphy who had 33 possessions, 12 marks and a goal off half-back. Jye Bolton also had 33 disposals, eight marks and five tackles through the centre.
Jared Hardisty also picked up 27 disposals for Claremont, Jake Murphy 26, Harrison McCracken 24, Ryan Lim 20, Bailey Rogers 18 and Keifer Yu 18.
Haydn Busher continued his superb form in defence for the Tigers with another 22 possessions and six marks along with keeping Ben Saunders to one goal. Anton Hamp held Mason Shaw goalless while having 15 disposals and six marks himself.
Ian Richardson kicked three goals for Claremont and Matt Guelfi two.
Mitch Andrews battled hard in the ruck against Brock Higgins finishing with 14 disposals, four marks, four tackles and 33 hit outs.
Starts might not have been South Fremantle's strong suit in recent times, but the Bulldogs were kicking with the handy breeze in the first quarter on Saturday at Claremont Oval and took full advantage.
Cory Dell'Olio kicked two quick goals for the Bulldogs before Tom Vandeleur added two more in quick succession. Dell'Olio then added a third and South Fremantle already had five goals on the board in the opening 12 minutes.
That soon became six in 18 minutes when Shaun Bewick kicked truly before Claremont got the last goal of the opening quarter thanks to Zac Langdon to cut South Fremantle quarter-time advantage to 28 points.
Claremont did come out with the breeze behind them in the second term and kicked the first goal through Matt Guelfi to close to within 21 points.
South Fremantle managed to respond thanks to Tim Kelly. Guelfi added another for Claremont but the Bulldogs again answers through Blaine Johnson.
But the Tigers finished the half strong with goals to Oliver Eastland and Ian Richardson to be just 10 points down at the main break.
South Fremantle regained the breeze again in the third quarter and the Bulldogs took full toll with the only five goals courtesy of Steve Verrier, Ben Saunders, Johnson, Dell'Olio and Ashton Hams to hold a match-winning 45-point advantage by three quarter-time.
The Bulldogs lead grew to 50 points 10 minutes into the last quarter when Dylan Main kicked truly. Even though Claremont kicked the game's last three goals with two to Richardson and another to Ryan Murphy, that only cut South Fremantle's final winning margin to 32 points.
Even if Claremont wins this Saturday against Swan Districts and Steel Blue Oval and against West Perth at Claremont Oval in the final round, the Tigers will need a lot of help to play finals in 2017.
South Fremantle now has the bye this weekend on its eight-game winning streak before taking on Peel Thunder in the final round at Bendigo Bank Stadium in what is shaping up like a preview of the following week's qualifying final at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.
CLAREMONT 1.3 5.9 5.10 8.13 (61)
SOUTH FREMANTLE 6.1 8.1 13.7 14.9 (93)
CLAREMONT – Goals: Richardson 3; Guelfi 2; Eastland, R Murphy, Langdon.
Best: R Murphy, Busher, Bolton, J Murphy, Hamp, Richardson, Hardisty.
SOUTH FREMANTLE – Goals: Dell'Olio 4; Johnson, Vandeleur 2; Bewick, Kelly, S Verrier, Main, Saunders, Hams.
Best: Dell'Olio, Kelly, McIntosh, S Verrier, Main, Hams, Strom.
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