FLORENCA STARS AS BULLDOGS FALL SHORT

WEST Perth has snapped a rough run of outs in recent times against South Fremantle to hot up the race for the WAFL minor premiership with two rounds remaining after a come from behind six-point win on Sunday.

South Fremantle had the chance to move into top position on the WAFL ladder at the end of Round 20 with a win at Provident Financial Oval on Sunday, and given the Bulldogs' recent run against West Perth and all-time up at Joondalup, their chances appeared strong.

The Bulldogs had won 14 of their last 15 games against the Falcons, and 20 of 29 at Joondalup since 1994 so it has been a happy hunting ground for a long time and on the back of a dazzling return from midfielder Jake Florenca, they opened up a 26-point gap during the third quarter.

South Fremantle appeared on target for a sixth straight win over West Perth and to leapfrog Subiaco into top spot, but West Perth had other ideas.

In a scintillating final quarter, West Perth opened up with the opening three goals to go from being 12 points down to six points up but South Fremantle responded courtesy of Haiden Schloithe and Blake Schlensog to regain the lead. 

The Falcons had the last say, though, kicking the last two goals of the game through Rudy Riddoch and then Tyler Keitel to go back in front by six points and claim the 11.7 (73) to 10.7 (67) win.

It's the first win for West Perth against South Fremantle since the stunning upset in the 2018 preliminary final and hots up the race the minor premiership with Subiaco (12-4), South Fremantle (11-5), West Perth (11-5) and Claremont (11-5) with two games remaining.

West Perth skipper Aaron Black was the star and played a true captain’s game, claiming 41 disposals and 13 tackles in a massive effort.

Shane Nelson was also prolific, with 32 disposals of his own, while Tyler Keitel was important, kicking four majors to take his season tally to 60 to move further clear in the Bernie Naylor Medal race. Rudy Riddoch also kicked three crucial goals.

For the Bulldogs, Jake Florenca was outstanding in his return to the league side with 29 disposals and a first quarter goal. It's his first game since heartbreakingly rupturing his Achilles in last year's preliminary final and missing the premiership.

Tom Blechynden had 29 possessions as well for the Bulldogs, Jacob Dragovich 24, Chad Pearson 22 and Haiden Schloithe 22 to go with two goals. Zac Strom and Mason Shaw also kicked two goals.

Both teams went into the game knowing the win would be massive for their respective finals campaigns. It was a physical match early, with big hits and contested football a big aspect of the game.

South Fremantle looked to threaten early with repeat entries inside 50, but were not able to take full advantage. The back-line of the Falcons were able to intercept, but the Bulldogs were equal to it around the ground.

Eventually it was Cody Ninyette who was able to kick the first goal, thanks to a dropped mark from the Falcons on the last line of defence. Jake Florenca kicked a nice checkside goal soon after, much to the delight of his teammates and supporters.

West Perth needed a settler, and it came when Tyler Keitel was able to hit Conal Lynch lace out, who converted for the Falcons’ first goal.

South Fremantle looked to execute their skills by foot, highlighted by an end-to-end goal finished by Mason Shaw, as the Bulldogs took a 13-point lead into quarter-time.

After conceding the first goal of the quarter, West Perth looked to be more composed in the second term, and Sasha Kernutt was key to the Falcons getting back in the game. He was often used as the link between the backs and forwards, with his accurate foot often finding a forward.

This was the case when he kicked it to Keegan Knott, who passed it to Keitel to get the Falcons going.

Knott and Rudy Riddoch both kicked majors to make the scores level, before Zac Strom put through his second major for the term to give the Bulldogs the lead at half-time.

The third quarter started off positively for the Bulldogs, with Brandon Donaldson kicking a left foot snap through the big sticks. Haiden Schloithe and Mason Shaw both put through majors of their own, stretching the lead to 26 points.

Rudy Riddoch helped West Perth respond, spinning out of traffic and snapping the ball on a tight angle for a goal. Late in the quarter Knott showed his football smarts, kicking to the advantage of Steve Potente to get the deficit to 13 points.

Keitel kicked the first two goals of the quarter to level the score, and when Conal Lynch put through his second goal for the day, the Falcons took the lead.

Schloithe stood up when the Bulldogs needed, bursting through traffic and kicking the goal to tie the game. Shortly after, Blake Schlensog took a strong grab straight in front to give South Fremantle the advantage.

Riddoch again stood up for the Falcons, kicking a wonderful goal from the pocket to level the scores once again. With time running out, both teams aimed to surge the ball forward, which suited the game style of West Perth, who looked to keep the ball in their forward 50. 

With minutes to go, Keitel was awarded a free kick, which he converted for goal to put the Falcons in front in what would be the sealer in the six-point victory.

KEITEL-STROM INTRIGUING BATTLE
Fans who made the journey to Joondalup were treated to a great battle between two great WAFL talents. West Perth’s Tyler Keitel, the WAFL’s leading goal scorer, was up against the quality defender Noah Strom. Strom had the better of Keitel early, often able to spoil the big key forward, and keeping him to one goal at three quarter-time. But Keitel caught fire in the last, kicking two goals in the first five minutes to level the scores. To put the icing on the cake, Keitel late in the match kicked the sealer. The battle was an exciting match up and one WAFL fans will hope to witness again.

BULLDOGS WELCOME BACK FLORENCA
Jake Florenca was the hard-luck story of the Bulldogs’ 2020 premiership, with the midfielder rupturing his Achilles in last year’s preliminary final, ultimately missing out on Grand Final glory. The 24-year-old returned to the league side for the first time in season 2021 and had an immediate impact. He was prolific in the first term, with 11 disposals and a goal, reminding the competition of the impact he can have. He finished with a team-high 29 disposals in a tremendous return to the WAFL competition. It’s an inclusion that will only help the Bulldogs as they look to go back-to-back.

FALCONS SNAP BULLDOGS LOSING STREAK
Heading into the game, the Falcons had lost the past five games to South Fremantle. In fact, West Perth had lost 14 of the past 15 against the reigning premiers. It’s back-to-back wins for the Falcons, and eight wins out of their last nine matches, with their only blemish in that run coming against the top of the table Lions. The win gives the Falcons a huge boost of confidence, and have proven their best football matches up against anyone in the competition.

OPTUS WAFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON – ROUND 20

WEST PERTH            1.2    4.3    6.4    11.7 (73)
SOUTH FREMANTLE        3.3    5.4    8.5    10.7 (67)

WEST PERTH: Goals – Keitel 4; Riddoch 3; Lynch 2; Knott, Potente..
Best – Black, Nelson, Hobley, Keitel, Wilhelm, Riddoch, Pegoraro.
SOUTH FREMANTLE: Goals – Schloithe, Z Strom, Shaw 2; Florenca, Ninyette, Donaldson, Schlensog.
Best – Florenca, Blechynden, Schloithe, Z Strom, Pearson, Maskos, Dragovich.

CREDIT Sunday, August 22, 2021 - 9:02 PM - by Matt Paddick WAFL website