WA Football Commission

Bulldogs fetch gritty win at homeTuesday, July 4, 2017 - 11:47 AM

Written by Sandra Argese

Though challenged early on in the picture, South Fremantle grit their teeth and weathered an initial Angel storm to fetch a comfortable 49 point victory at Fremantle Community Bank Oval on Sunday afternoon.

Bursting out of the blocks from the first bounce, the Angels dominated the inside 50 count for the opening half of the opening term. Despite Angel Tamika Watterston looking dangerous each and every time Perth went forward, their opening surge was not reflected on the scoreboard, as they eventually finished the quarter with a disappointing 0.8. As a result, the Bulldogs sniffed out a chance to steal the lead. A swift-thinking goal from Larissa Bennell did exactly that, placing the Bulldogs in good stead and up by a single point at the first change.

Beatrice Devlyn opened proceedings in the second quarter in style, as her 60m bomb from outside 50 bounced through the big sticks for arguably one of the best goals of the game. The Bulldogs capitalised on their new-found momentum as Jenna Allomes and Taylor Francesconi added to the growing lead.

While the Bulldogs dominated throughout the day, there was no questioning the determination of both sides. Following a gritty tackle on Bulldog Lisa Pignatiello, Angel Georgie Major came off second best as she found herself face to face with the grounds surface. Only moments later, Bulldog Ebony Humble and Heidi Thompson found themselves in a spout of ‘friendly-fire’ in a head-on collision among the contest.
Angel Rachel Ashley was taken from the ground halfway through the second term in an accidental collision with opponent Jenelle Heard following a marking contest, though she eventually returned to the ground to play out the remainder of the game.

It took 2 and a half quarters to find their goal-scoring feet, but Kirsten Mackay’s clever soccer toe-poke paved the way for the Angels’ first major in the third term.
Even after having the first six goals of the game scored against them, the Angels managed to score the next two to make it consecutive goals in a row. Their second goal was a real treat for Angel fans, as Hayley Thompson took matters into her own hands by wheeling around three players from the 50 metre arc to neatly kick truly for goal.

But at this point, the Angels' mini-surge was far too late. Jessie Macdonald, Lara Rodin-Zimdahl, Devlyn and Francesconi combined for four late goals to help their side to a comfortable 49 point win at the final siren.

GOAL SCORERS

SOUTH FREMANTLE: Beatrice Devlyn (2), Taylor Francesconi (2), Lara Rodin-Zimdahl (2), Kahra Sprlyan, Jessie Macdonald, Larissa Bennell, Jenna Allomes.
PERTH ANGELS: Kirsten Mackay, Hayley Thompson.

QUARTER BY QUARTER

SOUTH FREMANTLE: 1.3 (9) 4.5 (29) 6.7 (43) 10.12 (72)
PERTH ANGELS: 0.8 (8) 0.9 (9) 1.11 (17) 2.11 (23)