Match Report – Royals stun BulldogsMonday, June 14, 2021 - 9:02 AM - by Chris Pike

IT was the ultimate present for such a loyal servant when East Perth pulled off a remarkable upset over reigning premiers South Fremantle on Sunday in celebration of Nathan Blee's 150th game in the blue and black.

Since the two teams last met five weeks ago when South Fremantle was just able to escape with a seven-point victory at Fremantle Community Bank Oval, the Bulldogs had appeared to be building some better form in recent weeks while the Royals were still struggling with just the one win.

But at no point during Sunday's game at Leederville Oval were South Fremantle to get any flow into their game, and East Perth deserve enormous credit for that.

Then with the ball in hand, the Royals were willing to run and carry the ball, and to take it on and chance their arm to try and cause the upset of the season, and by the end of the afternoon they had pulled it off.

East Perth had managed to kick four of the last five goals of the opening quarter to signal their intentions, and the Royals still hung onto an eight-point lead by half-time.

East Perth had six scoring shots to one from South Fremantle in the third term, but the Bulldogs kicked a goal to six behinds from the Royals and that meant it was still an eight-point ball game heading into the last term.

Jayden Magro's lethal left boot and then a goal from a relay free-kick to Aidan Lynch proved enough in the last quarter for East Perth to hold out a South Fremantle team that threw everything at them to end up winning 8.11 (59) to 8.6 (54).

With East Perth having just one win to their credit so far and South Fremantle building some momentum in their premiership defence, there's no doubt this was the upset result of the season.

The timing couldn’t have been more perfect for East Perth either to win to celebrate the 150th game of loyal, consistent and popular defender Nathan Blee. 

On the day he earned life membership, not only did he celebrate with the memorable win but he was one of the best players on the field from centre half-back with 25 possessions and four marks.

South Fremantle was celebrating a milestone of its own with Jacob Dragovich getting to 100 games with the Bulldogs. The premiership midfielder couldn’t do any more to try and lift South Fremantle either finishing with 28 possessions, eight marks and three tackles.

Jayden Magro and Eddie Simpson kicked three goals apiece for East Perth with Simpson adding 16 possessions and 10 marks.

Angus Scott racked up another 26 possessions and seven marks on the wing for East Perth while Angus Schumacher fought hard in the midfield for 23 disposals, six tackles and five marks.

Shayne Hille was tremendous with 23 possessions, 10 tackles, eight marks and seven inside-50 entries while Kye Willcocks finished with 23 touches, Harley Sparks 23, Rohan Kerr 22 and Aidan Lynch 18.

The East Perth back-line stood tall led by Brad Fullgrabe holding Bernie Naylor Medallist Mason Shaw to five kicks and one behind.

Brandon Donaldson was South Fremantle's only forward to have much impact with four goals from 15 disposals.

South Fremantle's back-line was actually pretty solid only allowing East Perth eight goals from 36 inside-50 entries with Chad Pearson finishing with 29 possessions and nine marks, Jason Maskos 21 disposals and six marks, Jarrod Salmeri 18 touches and seven marks, Toby McQuilkin 16 possessions and 10 marks, and Blake Schlensog 12 disposals and five marks.

Tom Blechynden racked up 26 possessions, seven tackles, six marks, five inside-50 entries and a goal on the wing for South Fremantle as he continued his impressive form.

It's going to be a rare occasion that South Fremantle wins when they lose ruckman Brock Higgins before half-time to injury and then Mason Shaw is goalless, Ben Rioli has just five kicks, Dylan Main only nine disposals, Haiden Schloithe just nine touches, Nick Suban just 10 possessions and Cody Ninyette only the one goal.

Both teams now have the bye in Round 11 before East Perth takes on Peel Thunder in Mandurah on Saturday June 26 and on the same day, South Fremantle hosts Perth at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.

OPTUS WAFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON – ROUND 10

EAST PERTH            4.1    6.4    6.10    8.11 (59)
SOUTH FREMANTLE        2.1    5.2    6.2    8.6 (54)

EAST PERTH: Goals – Magro, Simpson 3; Lynch, Sparks.
Best – Hille, Schumacher, Fullgrabe, Scott, Blee, Simpson, Kerr, Magro.
SOUTH FREMANTLE: Goals – Donaldson 4; Schloithe, Blechynden, Ninyette, Kelly.
Best – Dragovich, Pearson, Donaldson, Blechynden, Salmeri, Maskos.