WA Football Commission
Determined Bulldogs overpower fighting Piranhas Tuesday, June 21, 2016 - 12:34 PM
Despite a fired up Claremont providing plenty of fight among four consistent quarters of high pressure football, South Fremantle had all the answers, eventually seeing them run out 45 point winners at Anning Park on Sunday afternoon.
South impressed with their strength as a powerful team unit, consistently holding up well with clean defensive play and poise among Claremont’s hard-fought entries inside 50. The Bulldogs capitalised upon their opportunities up forward, as their star forwards benefited from several well executed goal assists. The Bulldogs forwards were on song, with multiple goal scorers Larissa Bennell, Sabrina Traub-Frederick, and Lara Rodin-Zimdahl providing plenty of moments for the highlights reel, scoring nine majors between them.
The windy conditions didn’t exactly do either side any favours as the match culminated in a heavily contested contest, providing ongoing stoppages and patches of play where neither side could break free from each other. As packs of players constantly clashed, the umpires were kept busy throughout.
South Fremantle were dominant early on in the contest, with Sabrina Frederick-Traub opening the match with their first major, only to be followed by another courtesy of a classy run in goal from Larissa Bennell. Kate Cowen put the Piranhas’ on the scoreboard as she benefited from an overhead handball, notching up what would be her sides only score for the quarter. Frederick-Traub again converted from a set shot on the siren to give her side the momentum heading into the next change, taking the Bulldogs to a 16 point lead at quarter time.
Chloe Colegate helped her side open the second quarter with a goal for Claremont, though it didn’t trend as that would also be their only score for the term. It was a low scoring quarter overall, as both defences held up nicely, though South still managed to win the term as Frederick-Traub and Bennell added two more goals within minutes of each other to their teams tally.
Claremont continued to push forward hard after the half time break, with Piranha Jasmin Stewart working well throughout the ground as a pivotal ball magnet. They managed three goals in their best performing term courtesy of Carissa Wright, Jessie Barker, and Madeleine Long. Despite this, the Bulldogs remained a touch better, continuing their scoreboard dominance by winning the quarter. Bulldog Larissa Bennell continued to impress, with her best goal arriving as she took a contested mark on a difficult angle, only to convert truly with a well-executed banana kick around the body.
The Bulldogs held Claremont goalless in the final term, again adding two more goals to their tally, whilst maintaining possession and play to take home the win. Though it was only their second win of the season, the Bulldogs intensity around the ground looked like a team in a higher ladder position as they showcased impressive form that they’ll look to take into round eleven.
South Fremantle will now be looking to secure their third win of the season and subsequent second win in a row by taking on current ladder leaders Coastal Titans, whilst Claremont will be looking for their first win of the season against the fourth placed Thunderbirds.
South Fremantle: 3.4 (22) 5.6 (36) 9.8 (62) 11.10 (76)
Claremont: 1.0 (6) 2.0 (12) 5.0 (30) 5.1 (31)
Goals:
South Fremantle: L. Bennell 4, S. Frederick-Traub 3, L. Rodin-Zimdahl 2, A. Robilliard, S. Dorizzi
Claremont: C. Wright, K. Cowen, M. Long, J. Barker, C. Colegate
Article: Sandra Argese
