SOUTH Fremantle has gone two from two in the local derbies after defeating cross-town rivals East Fremantle in what has been dubbed one of the games of the year.
The Sharks jumped out of the blocks in the WA Day match, stunning the pre-match favourites in a physical game that harked back to the yesteryear of Fremantle derbies.
In front of a home crowd the Sharks kicked four goals to two in the first quarter to opened up a 14 point lead, but inaccuracies in front of goal plagued them in the next two quarters as they kicked 6.5 to South’s 9.2 to trail by a solitary point at the final break.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOWIt was in the last quarter when the Bulldogs completely shut down their opponents route to goal, allowing just two behinds to be added to East Fremantle’s total while scoring five goals themselves to finish with the 103-71 win.
Bulldogs captain Dylan Main led from the front with four goals while vice captain Mason Shaw also chipped in with three.
Tom Monaghan top scored for the Sharks with three goals.
Around the field South Fremantle’s Brendan Verrier (28 possessions) and Jacob Dragovich (24) worked hard in a tight, contested match, while East’s Blaine Boekhorst (29) and Cameron Eardley (28) also performed strongly.
The win was South Fremantle’s sixth straight for the year and their ninth consecutive derby win.
But it wasn’t all good news for the Bulldogs, who will be sweating on injuries to Shaun Bewick (knee), Haiden Schloithe (ankle) and Jake Florenca (concussion).
After eight rounds South Fremantle sit second on equal points with ladder leaders Subiaco, while East Fremantle are in 10th with two wins and six losses, just percentage behind Swan Districts and West Coast.
Round 9 will see East Fremantle travel to Leederville Oval to take on East Perth from 2.15pm, June 9.
South Fremantle have the bye.