Dazzling Demons spoil Miller milestone

It was a big night at Fremantle Oval on Friday when Kris Miller ran out for his 300th WAFL game. Miller played 153 games for East Fremantle winning the Lynn Medal in 2005. He’s now played 147 games for South Fremantle where he has won the Hughes Medal in 2007, 2009 and 2012 as well as playing in a premiership team in 2009.

The night of celebration began perfectly with the Bulldogs kicking goals from everywhere as they romped to a 37-point lead at quarter time. The Demons, fresh from a big first-up win over Claremont, seemed panicky in defence and careless in attack.

South’s lead blew out to 44 points early in the second quarter before Perth steadied and kicked six goals to four to reduce the margin to 26 points at half time.

In the second half it was all Perth with the Demons kicking 11 goals to four to pull off a stunning victory.

Exciting youngster Callum Collard kicked five goals for Perth, Mitch Leyendekkers had another good game in the ruck, Gerald Ugle ran the ball well from defence, Mitch and Cale Morton each kicked two goals, Brennan Stack kicked three and Dene White was a strong performer.

Marlon Pickett kicked three goals in another stand-out effort for South, Jacob Martinez played his best game at league level and finished with three goals while Miller, Brendan Verrier and Timothy Kelly all performed well for the Bulldogs who kicked the last two goals of the game but couldn’t give Miller what he deserved.

Perth 19.9 (123) South Fremantle 18.10 (118)

 

Claremont gave a whimper in round one but roared at Joondalup in round two. In a tight encounter the Tigers trailed at each break but held West Perth scoreless in the last quarter to record an unexpected two-goal win.

Top midfielders Luke Blackwell and Jake Murphy returned to form, Ryan Neates used his pace to advantage and Andrew Foster showed great skill in the difficult conditions and kicked three goals.

Anthony Tsallikis kicked four goals in an outstanding effort for the Falcons and Aaron Black was also in good form.

Claremont 10.10 (70) West Perth 8.10 (58)

 

East Perth also trailed at each break at Leederville Oval but they powered away from Swan Districts in the last quarter to win by 18 points. Stephen Payne was outstanding for the second week in a row, Dom Sheed’s first game as a Royal was a good one and Josh Smith and Fraser McInnes each kicked three goals.

Tallan Ames and Adam Faulkner were good for Swans who showed they might be better than predicted.

East Perth 16.13 (109) Swan Districts 14.7 (91)

 

Subiaco and East Fremantle travelled to Geraldton  – East Fremantle heartland. The Sharks were never in it. Rhys Waters was again in top form, Shaun Hilderbrandt showed he’s happy back at one of his old home clubs and Chris Phelan had another good game.

Ryan Lester-Smith and Rory O’Brien were good for the disappointing East Fremantle.

Subiaco 16.12 (108) East Fremantle 6.16 (52).

 

Important games this week with South Fremantle and West Perth in danger of starting the season 0-3. The Bulldogs play unbeaten East Perth at home on Friday night while the Falcons host unbeaten Perth on Saturday.  Swan Districts and Peel meet at Bassendean both chasing their first win and it’s the western suburbs derby at East Fremantle Oval – Claremont vs Subiaco. That’s right East Fremantle Oval.

About Les Everett

A Footy Almanac veteran, Les Everett is the author of Gravel Rash: 100 Years of Goldfields Football and Fremantle Dockers: An Illustrated History. He is the footyalmanac.com WAFL correspondent and uses the money he makes from that role to pay for his expensive websites australianrules.com.au and talkingfrankie.com and fund the extravagant Vin Maskell at scoreboardpressure.com

Comments

  1. Karl and I took in the South Freo V Perth game under lights on a balmy Friday evening. Terrific contest. The Bulldogs started with great intensity, doubtless fired up by Kris Miller’s milestone game. Tackling intensity create a lot of turnovers by the Demons, and the swarming Bulldog mosquito fleet were one touch and slotted regular majors in Q1. The game came down to SF’s lack of tall key position players. They are really a running side and as they tired the one touch became fumbles.
    Perth had a bit more size and class around the ground, and hit the front for the first time at the 20 minute mark of the last quarter. At the 30 minute mark they were 17 points ahead, when the Bulldogs got 2 quick ones. Time for one final assault from the centre bounce. Bombed it to a one-on-one in the square between 2 strong bodies. The Bulldogs FF just edged out his opponent, but under great pressure just spilled the grab close to the ground as they fell to the ground together. Then the bell rang.
    The Bulldogs couldn’t have worked any harder, but they made a lot of mistakes and gave possession away too easily in the second half.
    The WAFL is a bit over-umpired compared to AFL, and it would be a better contest if they left it to the players more and only paid the obvious ones – not the technical ones.
    That said, a very enjoyable evening and the WAFL is a great community comp. I love the smell of liniment and the kick to kick at half time. I may even get a touch at the next home game.
    Thanks for your summaries Les.
    Interesting that Swan Districts don’t want Dayle Garlett back. I think they would rather have a team of honest triers, than someone who is going to distract the kids with his gangsta’ attitude. I am sure they hope to get some transfer $’s for him too.

  2. Thanks for keeping WAFL alive for those of us in the dark land of the East. I look forward to your summary of next week’s game between South and the quislings, who like Invasion of the Body Snatchers have replaced a former great club with Eagles reserves, only the Guernsey remains.

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