A FOUR-minute blitz where South Fremantle kicked three goals to run over the top of East Fremantle with the final kick of the game had to be seen to be believed. Even those who witnessed the Bulldogs’ 5.3 (33) to 4.6 (30) triumph might have had to turn back to the replay just to comprehend what they had just watched at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.

To set the scene, there was just over four minutes remaining in the match when the Sharks lead 4.6 (30) to 2.3 (15). South Fremantle was attacking hard but needed three goals in that time, which was more than the Bulldogs had kicked in the first 76 minutes of the match.

However despite the odds, key forward Zoe Huggett was about to rip up the script. She already had one goal – following an equally incredible moment in the dying seconds of the third term where she booted her side’s first major – and outbodied direct opponent Madison Evans inside 50 to mark. She went back and delivered a lovely kick straight through the middle as the clock ticked under four minutes remaining.

If South was to be any chance, it needed another goal, and fast. Luckily for the home side, that is exactly what happened with the Bulldogs winning the next centre clearance and creating something out nothing, the incredibly crafty Poppy Stockwell snapped around her body to slot a second just over a minute after Huggett had converted.

All of a sudden the final two minutes was red hot. South continued to attack and looked the most likely to score but East Fremantle’s defence – which had been brilliant all day – continued to repel. The likes of veteran Leanne Gubbins alongside teenage duo Maya Louvel-Finn and Natasha Entwistle had spearheaded a rebounding force to turn defence into offence.

Up the other end, Alicia Blizard had been a one-player scoring machine, converting all four goals as those around her missed chances to add to the Sharks’ total. However despite her heroics, it would be the Bulldogs to have the last laugh as Huggett gathered the ball in the forward pocket and as she was descended upon by two defenders, the ball spilt out, she was dragged to the ground and a whistle blew.

The most important decision of the match was about to be called with just over 30 seconds on the clock. It was either holding the ball where an East Fremantle defender would chew up the clock and see their side win, or it would be holding the player and Huggett would receive a set shot free.

Incredibly, Stockwell opted to play on and take the shot, booting a goal confident her side had the free kick. In the end, it did go the way of the Bulldogs, but the ball was called back, and the game was placed on the boot of Huggett. She went back calmly, took her allotted time and then put it straight over the goal umpire’s head to seal the most remarkable of wins with the siren sounding shortly after

It was not that South Fremantle was not deserving, in fact, the Bulldogs had dominated the midfield battle all day with 28 clearances to 15. However the Sharks’ defenders kept a high line, and quickly mopped up most forward forays to transition into 40 inside 50s to South Fremantle’s 26. The visitors had also kept the Bulldogs goalless until the final few seconds of the third quarter.

Even when Blizard had kicked her fourth early in the final term, it looked like East would score a comfortable victory. But four consecutive goals to the Bulldogs – including three in those final four minutes – produced a Round 1 epic, and a comeback for the ages.

Huggett won the Vecchio-Smith Medal for her game-icing goal and overall scoreboard impact with three majors. She showed it may not be your match at first, but it can be your moment, with her last 21 minutes absolutely sensational.

The likes of defenders Hunter Cronin (17 disposals, six marks) and Marie Polimeno (17 disposals, two marks) were both superb, as was Alyssa Smogavec and Liusaidh Gilchrist throguh midfield. Stockwell threatened to break the game open on several occasions, while the returning Tahleah Mulder got better as the match went on.

Blizard’s four majors from 16 disposals and five marks – and she realistically could have taken double-digit grabs if she held them all – was an incredible feat up forward, while Gubbins (18 disposals), Louvel-Finn (14 disposals, four marks and four tackles) and Entwistle (12 disposals, five marks) lead from the front in the back half. Skipper Ashleigh Gomes was her side’s most consistent four-quarter performer with a game-high 25 disposals, as well as four marks, three tackles and six inside 50s.

East Fremantle has the opportunity to bounce back next week against Peel Thunder at home, while South Fremantle travels to Mineral Resources Park to take on newcomers Perth with both matches next Saturday.

SOUTH FREMANTLE 0.1 | 0.2 | 1.2 | 5.3 (33)
EAST FREMANTLE 1.2 | 2.4 | 3.6 | 4.6 (30)

GOALS:
South Fremantle: Z. Huggett 3, J. Watts, P. Stockwell
East Fremantle: A. Blizard 4

RMC BEST:
South Fremantle: H. Cronin, A. Smogavec, M. Polimeno, Z. Huggett, P. Stockwell
East Fremantle: A. Blizard, A. Gomes, A. Atkins, M. Louvel-Finn, N. Entwistle

AROUND THE GROUNDS

Subiaco kicked clear of West Perth in an impressive performance at Joondalup Arena on Saturday night. The Lions booted the last three goals of the match – as well as eight behinds in that time – to score a 7.10 (52) to 3.4 (22) win over the Falcons.

National Academy member Olivia Wolmarans had a day out in front of goal by converting four majors from 18 disposals, seven marks, four tackles and four inside 50s, while AFLW-experienced pair Krstel Petrevski (29 disposals, eight tackles and five inside 50s) and Lisa Steane (24 disposals, seven marks and four inside 50s) both starred.

Bottom-age debutant Lexi Strachan did not look out of place for the Falcons notching up a team-high 18 touches to go with three marks and six tackles, while former Lion Madison Dodd found plenty of the football, and Mia Russo was equally crucial in the middle.

Meanwhile Peel Thunder spoiled Perth’s party in the Bombers’ inaugural game, holding the newcomers goalless in an inaccurate, but effective victory, 7.14 (56) to 0.6 (6). Chloe Wrigley racked up 32 disposals, six marks, six tackles and five inside 50s in the win, as Zoe Bailey kicked a couple of majors from 22 disposals and four marks. Ex-Thunder midfielder Holly Britton (23 disposals, six marks, six tackles and three inside 50s) and Queenslander Jasmine Single (21 disposals, two marks and four tackles) were Perth’s best.

In the other match, Swan Districts scored a comfortable 7.6 (48) to 2.6 (18). win over East Perth. Returning strongly for the first game of her top-age season, State Academy member Carys D’Addario stood strong with 24 disposals, three marks, four tackles and eight inside 50s, while Luka Davis and Jaime Henry also found plenty of the ball. Elly Sara (20 disposals, six marks, three inside 50s) was the pick of the East Perth ball-winners.