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WAFL wrap – win moves Bulldogs into third

Bryce LuffEastern Reporter

SOUTH Fremantle moved to third on the WAFL table, recording an impressive 38-point win over Perth at Fremantle Oval on Saturday.

The Bulldogs led by a kick at the final change but put through seven goals straight to sprint home 17.10 (112) to 11.8 (74) winners.

Josh Pullman booted four goals and was an important forward option in the final term when the game was in the balance.

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Shaun Bewick booted two goals, as did Craig White, the high-flying Paul Mugambwa, Jacob Dragovich and the smooth-moving Ashton Hams, who also had 23 disposals.

Cory Dell'Olio, who seemed to be in a particularly prickly mood, also booted two.

Steven Verrier notched up 27 possessions and four inside-50s in an important performance, considering the Bulldogs were without Tim Kelly, Haiden Schloithe and Jacob Martinez.

Demons midfielder Aidan Tropiano had a game-high 36 disposals and 10 tackles.

Michael Sinclair had 27 disposals, Liam McKenna 28 and Den White 22 and one goal.

Up forward, Jarryd Morton and Cody Leggett finished with three goals each.

Bulldogs coach Todd Curley said it was a pleasing result considering his side was coming off a short break, having played East Fremantle the previous Monday.

"They (Perth) had a couple of opportunities early in the last quarter [that] unfortunately for them they couldn't take," he said.

"We didn't really play that well, I didn't think, for the majority of the day, but some of our leaders lifted at three-quarter time.

With regular forward Ben Saunders missing, Curley praised Pullman for his role in the win.

"His work rate was super; it was obviously his marks and goals but he chases and tackles and pressures and he's been really good for us this year," he said.

Meanwhile, Subiaco remains top of the table after condemning East Fremantle to its third straight loss at Leederville Oval on Saturday.

Early momentum shifts made way for one-way traffic in the latter stages, with the Lions ramming home 10 goals in the second half to stroll home 48-point winners.

Sam Menegola tallied 35 disposals, nine inside-50s and two goals in an impressive performance coming back from injury.

Teammate Brett Robinson also starred, with 34 disposals and two goals in the 15.18 (108) to 8.12 (60) win.

Jamie McNamara led disposals for the Sharks with 24, followed by BrockO'Brien (23), and brother Rory (21).

West Perth has continued its pursuit of first-placed Subiaco after holding off Peel Thunder by four points at Rushton Park on Saturday.

In an incredibly tight match, the Falcons were able to hold on 17.9 (111) to 17.5 (107).

For the Falcons, Matthew Johnson led the scoring with four goals and Shane Nelson the disposals with 31.

Connor Blakely had 34 disposals for Peel, with Max Duffy and Leroy Jetta booting four goals each.

Jack Darling booted fives goals as East Perth squared its win-loss register at five wins and five losses against Swan Districts on Saturday.

Darling, on the comeback from injury, booted five straight to lead the Royals to a 13.9 (87) to 11.4 (70) win at Bassendean Oval.

Xavier Ellis gathered 27 disposals, Kane Lucas 24, Brendan Lee 24 and Brant Colledge 23.

For the Swans, Aaron Elari gathered 32 disposals, Adam Faulkner 31 and Ryan Davis 30, to go with three goals.

Matthew Jukes also booted three goals.