The class and maturity of South Fremantle proved too much for the WAFL Eagles to overcome at Fremantle Community Bank Oval as the Bulldogs marched to a 76-point victory.
The hosts charged home to turn a 39-point advantage at the last change into a 17.14 (116) to 6.4 (40) triumph.
While the Bulldogs dominated the second half, good news for the Eagles were the performances of midfielders Greg Clark and Sam Petrevski-Seton while youngster Rhett Bazzo managed to get through his first senior hit-out at WAFL level.
Clark had 25 disposals and seven tackles while Petrevski-Seton had 18 touches and six tackles.
After an even first quarter when the Bulldogs held a one-goal advantage, the Eagles edged within a point after a brilliant solo effort from Jack Petruccelle.
After a strong defensive spoil as South Fremantle looked to transition from defence, he knocked the ball to ground, followed up and converted to take the scores to 3.1 (19) against 3.2 (20).
Unfortunately, from that moment forward the Bulldogs controlled the game and the ball virtually lived in their forward half.
South enjoyed a 23-11 advantage in the inside 50 count, with experienced midfielders Haydn Schloithe and Jake Florenca ensuring a flood of supply.
Florenca had 16 possessions to the main break while Schloithe had 11 and with that pair consistently sending the ball inside the attacking arc, the likes of Jimmy Miller, Mason Shaw and Zac Strom provided a few headaches for the Eagles defence.
Those three players kicked five goals between them.
The Eagles had a number of players who competed hard but it was difficult for the likes of Petrevski-Seton, Clark or Joey Deegan to stem the flow.
Josh Edwards was solid in the ruck while Josh Rotham picked up plenty of possession in a defence that was under siege.
The Bulldogs kicked a couple of late goals to take charge – and a 35-point advantage – into the main break.
The Eagles showed good resilience and persistence, edging their way back to within four goals with the first two majors of the second half. With young forward-ruckman Jack Williams converting a polished set shot and then Darby McCarthy hitting the scoreboard.
The game ebbed and flowed before Petrevski-Seton kicked a wonderful left foot snap.
But the Bulldogs again finished the quarter strongly, leading 11.11 (77) to 6.2 (38) at the final change.
Details
South Fremantle 3.1 8.7 11.11 17.14 116
West Coast Eagles 2.1 3.2 6.2 6.4 40
Goals – South Fremantle: Donaldson, Strom, Datson 3; Kelly, Shaw 2; Main, Salmeri, Miller, Doney. West Coast Eagles: Burke, Nitschke, Petruccelle, Williams, McCarthy, Petrevski-Seton.
Best – South Fremantle: Florenca, Schloithe, Shaw, McQuilken, Datson, Kelly. West Coast Eagles: Clark, Petrevski-Seton, Deegan, Williams, Browne, Rotham.
