Elijah Hewett made a strong return to full-time midfield duties but the WAFL Eagles were outpointed by South Fremantle in a 61-point defeat at Fremantle Community Bank Oval on Saturday.
In a hard-fought contest played in perfect autumn conditions, the Bulldogs’ eight-goal-to-two third quarter blitz proved decisive in the 19.11 (125) to 10.4 (64) result.
The loss was further soured by a knee injury suffered by Jamie Cripps in the final term, with the veteran forward falling to ground while changing direction and taking no further part.
West Coast was up for the fight early, despite losing captain Callum Jamieson to a hamstring injury moments before the opening ball-up, and trailed by just eight points at the main break.
With a hardened engine room featuring ruck Matt Flynn, Harry Schoenberg, Tom Gross and Hewett, the visitors had the edge around clearances (14-6 at quarter-time) but the Eagles couldn’t take advantage.
Instead, the Bulldogs showed bite inside 50, looking dangerous every time they went into attack and damaging West Coast on transition.
Hewett collected 14 disposals in the first half, showing his trademark burst from traffic, and finished with 27 disposals, six tackles and five inside 50s in an encouraging performance as he looks to regain his AFL place in midfield.
Schoenberg (24 disposals, six inside 50s, one goal) battled hard all day, while Flynn dominated the ruck (36 hit-outs) and Gross (21 disposals) never stopped trying to end with 22 touches and six inside 50s. Lucca Grego (20 disposals) provided strong run from defence.
Jack Williams provided a focal point in attack, kicking two goals in the second term, including one from a strong pack mark, while Sasha Kernutt (two goals) was also lively, and Cripps kicked a trademark running goal from 50m in the third term.
The Eagles had too few avenues to goal while South, on the other hand, had five multiple goalkickers – led by Cooper Clarke-Dehring (five goals) in his first League game for the season and Jordan Boullineau (three).
Ex-Eagle Isiah Winder (27 disposals) was prominent throughout and busy forward of centre with six inside 50s, with strong support from Jake Florenca (29, one goal).
A classy left-footed snap by Tylah Williams in the final term gave Eagles fans something to cheer about, while fellow draftee Fred Rodriguez (13 disposals, one goal) showed more promising signs on a wing as he builds match fitness returning from a foot injury.
South Fremantle improved to 5-1 on the season with the win, while the Eagles sit at 3-3 following back-to-back defeats.
The WAFL competition has a bye next round for the state game against South Australia.
DETAILS
South Fremantle 4.1 6.4 14.9 19.11 (125)
West Coast 1.1 5.2 7.3 10.4 (64)
Goals
South Fremantle: Clarke-Dehring 5, Boullineau 3, Otto, Donaldson, Robinson, Drage, Geier 2, Florenca
West Coast: J.Williams, Kernutt 2, Prior, Rodriguez, Cripps, T.Williams, Lucassen, Schoenberg
Best
South Fremantle: Winder, Florenca, Clarke-Dehring, Robinson, Hughes
West Coast: Hewett, Gross, J.Williams, Schoenberg, Flynn, Kernutt
