BULLDOGS PUT BITE ON START TO FALCONS SEASON

WEST Perth started the 2016 season, as they did their last, with a loss to South Fremantle at Fremantle Community Bank Oval on Saturday. The Falcons started the game well, kicking the first two goals, but after that the Bulldogs took control and ran out 35-point winners. West Perth wasn’t able to match the run and ball use of the home team.

The Falcons got off to a dream start kicking the first two majors within five minutes. The first went to the skipper, Jay van Berlo, who received a free 30 metres out and the second to new recruit Max Duffy who scored with his second kick for his new club. This was after marking and kicking from just inside 50. It was the first of three for the day in what was a promising debut.

At the 15-minute mark Ashton Hams, who had a prolific first quarter during which he racked up 15 possessions, kicked a behind that gave the Bulldogs the lead; one they didn’t relinquish the rest of the game. The Bulldogs big men up forward were having a big influence. Mason Shaw and Ben Saunders were causing all sorts of problems and were getting plenty of it as a result of a dominant midfield.

Souths kicked five in a row before Aaron Black found Nick Rodda in the square. His kick reduced the margin to 13 at the 25-minute mark. The Bulldogs kicked another before Michael Lourey scored his first from 30 to reduce the margin to 12 at the first change. On the run of play the Falcons were lucky to be that close. The scores were 6.1 (37) to 4.1 (25).

The busy Tim Kelly kicked the first one for Souths after three minutes to extend the lead to 19. Shortly after Duffy received a free down the ground and a 50m penalty that put him within 30 of goal. He duly kicked his second but that was to be the only joy for the quarter as the Bulldogs dominated from this point and by half-time had extended their lead to 31 points. The result could have been worse if it wasn’t for the efforts of Andrew Strijk who was providing some run and kicks inside-50 from half-back. At the main change Souths led 10.4 (64) to 5.3 (33).

The third quarter was more of an arm wrestle with West Perth outscoring the Bulldogs two goals to one. Black got the ball rolling with a clever snap from 30 at the two-minute mark. The teams traded behinds before Bulldogs forward, Saunders, scored from 40. This took the lead back to what it was at half-time. This was at the seven-minute mark but the only other goal for the quarter didn’t come until 18 minutes later when  Black scored his second for the term from 40, near the boundary. The Falcons still had the task ahead going into the final term as they had only reduced the margin by four and trailed 11.8 (74) to 7.5 (47).

West Perth attacked early but only managed to kick three behinds. The Bulldogs then dominated the next 15 minutes and by the 24-minute mark had opened up a 46-point lead. They continued to outrun West Perth and used the ball much more efficiently. A third to Duffy and second to Lourey were the final majors of the game but at the final siren South Fremantle had run out comfortable 35-point winners; 14.14 (98) to 9.9 (63).

It was a disappointing start to the year but Bill Monaghan coached teams have shown the ability to rebound quickly and this is a player group that has a lot of pride in their jumper. A number of players are still to come into the team including Steven Browne, Laine Rasmussen, Corey Chalmers, Steve Potente and Shane Nelson. Best players on Saturday included Jay van Berlo, Aaron Black, Aidan Lynch, Kody Manning and Andrew Strijk.

The colts went under and the reserves were beaten by a goal in the last minute of the game so it wasn’t a great start to the year. It all starts again with the first home game next week against Perth so be at HBF Arena to help notch up the first win of the year.

BY DARRELL KENT
PHOTOS BY BELINDA TAYLOR