AT A rain-sodden Fremantle Community Bank Oval, South Fremantle snapped their crosstown rivals’ eight-game win streak in a four-quarter top-of-the-table slog. After a slow start for the Bulldogs, their talented midfield brigade got to work post-quarter time and proved too much for their counterparts to contain.

The Sharks led the way at half time with four consecutive goals in the opening term. The scoring dried up almost completely thereafter, in contrast to the increasingly wet conditions. East Fremantle only managed two more scores for the afternoon while the Bulldogs piled on 18, eventually prevailing by 19 points.

#5 Toby Whan
Midfielder | 184cm | 09/05/2007

Stats: 24 disposals, 6 tackles, 4 inside 50s

The Fremantle NGA product was one of the equal-highest ball winners on the ground and a lynchpin in South Fremantle’s resurgence during the second quarter. Whan was able to sneak forward on one occasion, demonstrating his ability to find open space in dangerous positions. Even with a sopping wet football in his hands, Whan was still able to retain his penetration by foot and pinpoint teammates across the field.

#7 Fred Rodriguez
Midfielder | 184cm | 10/07/2007

Stats: 16 disposals (all kicks), 6 inside 50s, 3 tackles

The highly-rated midfielder added a tincture of class to the often scrappy contest. Rodriguez did all his damage by foot, running out the game without a handball. To his credit, he cannily assessed the conditions, showcasing his poise and cleanliness at ground level while delivering ably to his peers inside 50 to set up scores.

#12 Jacob Donald
Midfielder | 178cm | 05/05/2007

Stats: 22 disposals, 5 tackles, 4 marks

The gritty midfielder was one of the few four-quarter performers for South Fremantle. He unselfishly set up his side’s first score and continued to be a presence around the ground when his opposition had the upper hand. Alongside the other members of the Bulldogs’ midfield brigade, Donald helped turn the tide in the second quarter with his ferocious attack on the ball. He ended up as one of the leading clearance winners on the ground and one of the most important players overall. 

#29 Thomas Stewart
Small Forward | 170cm | 18/04/2008

Stats: 11 disposals, 4 tackles, 2 goals

It was no accident that the diminutive forward ended up as the only multiple goalkicker on the day. His left boot proved to be the Bulldogs’ most effective offensive weapon. He fought valiantly for possession and was rewarded with a pair of handy goals. He also showed an ability to impact stoppages at times, winning clearances under duress and clearing the ball from densely populated scrimmages.

EAST FREMANTLE:

#11 Oliver McManus
Midfielder | 180cm | 21/08/2007

Stats: 22 disposals, 6 tackles, 3 marks

Was able to rack up disposals across half-back in the first half, adeptly positioning himself in relevant areas on the ground. His measured ball use reliably set off possession chains that resulted in forward 50 ventures. McManus also proved that he is a capable intercepter, clunking an overhead mark in defence early in the contest that helped set the tone for the Sharks’ strong start.

#16 Tom Grylls
Midfielder | 180cm | 31/05/2007

Stats: 20 disposals, 4 tackles, 2 inside 50s

The dogged ball winner continued his strong form for East Fremantle in a game that very much suited his hard-edged sensibility. Grylls was the most dominant midfielder on the ground in the first quarter. He adjusted quickly to the difficult conditions and was a real thorn in the side of South Fremantle. Impressively, he took it up to the credentialed Bulldog’s midfield of Rodriguez and Whan, starving them of possession early on.

#23 Rhyder O’Brien
Defender | 181cm | 26/10/2007

Stats: 18 disposals, 3 marks, 2 tackles

The versatile defender was partially to thank for the Bulldogs’ goalless opening term. Covering a number of opponents when required, he helped blanket his opposition’s offence. His cleanliness in the back half was at times eye-catching, occasionally dashing out of defence with ball in hand. Deep into the scrap, he was still able to extract the ball from dangerous scenarios and repel forward 50 entries with earnest desperation.

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ROUND 17 RESULTS

Claremont 7.10 (52) def. Peel Thunder 3.4 (22)
Swan Districts 5.2 (32) def. Subiaco 3.11 (29)
South Fremantle 6.14 (50) def. East Fremantle 5.1 (31)
Perth 8.13 (61) def. West Perth 3.8 (26)

Bye: East Perth

WAFL COLTS LADDER

1. East Fremantle | 11-3 | 151.1% | 44 points
2. South Fremantle | 10-4 | 185.3% | 40 points
3. West Perth | 8-5 | 112.3% | 32 points
4. Swan Districts | 8-6 | 99.0% | 32 points
5. Claremont | 7-6 | 112.9% | 28 points
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6. Perth | 6-7 | 96.6% | 24 points
7. Subiaco | 5-8 | 82.0% | 20 points
8. East Perth | 5-8 | 76.6% | 20 points
9. Peel Thunder | 0-13 | 45.1% | 0 points

ROUND 18 FIXTURE

Saturday August 9:

East Perth vs. South Fremantle @ Sullivan Logistics Stadium
Peel Thunder vs. Perth @ Lane Group Stadium
Claremont vs. Swan Districts @ TBC
West Perth vs. Subiaco @ HIF Health Insurance Oval

Bye: East Fremantle