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WAFL 2022: West Perth soar to top of WAFL ladder with win over South Fremantle at Pentanet Stadium

Samantha RogersThe West Australian
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West Perth’s Aaron Black looks for options. Michael Farnell
Camera IconWest Perth’s Aaron Black looks for options. Michael Farnell Credit: Michael Farnell/Michael Farnell

A fast-starting West Perth have soared to the top of the WAFL ladder after surviving a scare from South Fremantle at Pentanet Stadium.

The Falcons did not score for the entire third quarter before kicking two goals in the last half of the final term to defeat the Bulldogs by eight points, 9.9 (63) to 8.7 (55).

West Perth dominated the opening quarter, kicking five unanswered goals in a blazing start to the match before South Fremantle sneaked in a major at the 25-minute mark courtesy of Ben Donaldson.

Two of the Falcons’ first-term goals came off the back of turnovers, with Jarrad Doney kicking it straight to the opposition and Sandover Medallist Haiden Schloithe giving away a free kick inside his defensive 50.

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Making up for his earlier blunder, Schloithe lifted as South Fremantle kicked back-to-back goals to start the second quarter off the boots of Brendon Ah Chee and Mason Shaw.

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Falcons forwards Mitch Dobson and Keegan Knott scored two late majors to give the home side a 22-point lead going into the main break.

West Perth did not score for the entire third quarter, despite ample opportunities, as the Bulldogs cut the deficit to just seven points.

Schloithe, Ah Chee and Tom Blenchynden found another gear as the Falcons struggled to convert in front of goal, finally scoring another major at the 14-minute mark of the final term.

West Perth v South Fremantle WAFL football game held at Pentanet Stadium, Joondalup. Round 4. Michael Farnell
Camera IconWest Perth v South Fremantle WAFL football game held at Pentanet Stadium, Joondalup. Round 4. Michael Farnell Credit: Michael Farnell/Michael Farnell

After Dobson broke the drought, Sam Rotham kept the rain coming - stretching the margin back out to 11 points.

The Bulldogs kept coming but could only score three behinds as West Perth held on, jumping four spots to sit atop the WAFL ladder after four rounds.

South Fremantle will be sweating on the fitness of veteran Nick Suban, who limped off in the final term with what appeared to be a hamstring injury.

SCOREBOARD

WEST PERTH, 5.2, 7.5, 7.5, 9.9 (63)

SOUTH FREMANTLE, 1.1, 4.1, 6.4, 8.7 (55)

Goals – WEST PERTH: M Dobson 2 S Kernutt 2 S Rotham 2 A Hamp T Keitel K Knott. SOUTH FREMANTLE: B Ah Chee 2 M Shaw 2 T Blechnyden C Datson B Donaldon J Salmeri

Best – WEST PERTH: S Nelson L Meadows M Dobson S Rotham S Kernutt. SOUTH FREMANTLE: B Ah Chee T Blechynden H Schloithe M Shaw S Green.

Umpires: C Mannix R Shelton B Laycock. Crowd: About 3100 at Pentanet Stadium.

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