The Western Bulldogs withstood a 3rd quarter Fremantle charge to notch up their first win of the season tonight, winning by 63 points. The Bulldogs, led by Ryan Griffen, Lindsay Gilbee, Matthew Boyd and host of other Bulldogs were simply too efficient for a Fremantle side that will dwell on lost opportunities, particularly in front of goal.
Fremantle started the game in outstanding fashion, kicking the first two goals, but it would be the Bulldogs who would go on to kick the next 5 and maintain the lead through out the game.
The second quarter would be the defining moment in the match, with the Doggies kicking 7 of the next 9 goals.
Fremantle hit back in the 3rd term, with Luke McPharlin, Ryan Murphy and Byron Schammer leading the charge and taking their chances, however it was the missed opportunities that will leave Fremantle with work to do next weekend.
3 goals to Mitch Hahn in the final quarter, plus another 5 has given the Bulldogs early season percentage and momentum heading into their round 2 clash with North Melbourne.
FREMANTLE 4.4 7.5 12.12 13.16 (94)
WESTERN BULLDOGS 6.1 13.4 17.4 25.7 (157)
GOALS
Fremantle: Brett Peake 3, Michael Johnson 2, Stephen Hill, Rhys Palmer, Matthew Pavlich, Byron Schammer, Luke McPharlin, Ryan Murphy, Nic Suban
Western Bulldogs: Mitch Hahn 5, Ryan Griffen 3, Lindsay Gilbee 3, Nathan Eagleton 3, Shaun Higgins 2, Jason Akermanis 2, Daniel Giansiracusa 2, Dylan Addison, Adam Cooney, Matthew Boyd, Daniel Cross, Callan Ward
BEST
Fremantle: Paul Duffield, Brett Peake, Paul Hasleby, Chris Tarrant, Steven Dodd, Rhys Palmer
Western Bulldogs: Matthew Boyd, Lindsay Gilbee, Daniel Giansiracusa, Ryan Griffen, Daniel Cross, Shaun Higgins, Mitch Hahn
INJURIES
Fremantle: Roger Hayden replaced in selected side by Marcus Drum
Western Bulldogs: Robert Murphy replaced in selected side by Tom Williams
Reports: Nil
Umpires: James, Stevic, Keating
Official crowd: 33,634 at Subiaco Oval
Match review written by Winta on the forums.
