Kalamunda Bulldogs 20 – South Perth Lions 44
By PETER ROWE
South Perth used the strong winds to their advantage to keep their winning run going with a strong second-half performance in their Fuel to Go & Play Premiership win over the Kalamunda Bulldogs at Hartfield Park.
“I think it was a scrappy game in tough conditions,” Lions coach John Crawford said.
“We played into the wind in the first half and were happy with a 20-8 lead at the break.”
The Lions lost Luke-David Wells-Talamaivao after 20 minutes with a knee injury and then Travis Haney later in the game with ribs, but were eventually too strong for a Bulldogs side that had plenty of effort.
Veteran Daniel Green played his 200th game for the club and was a warhorse for 80 minutes, controlling the middle throughout in an onfield battle with Dogs half Soni Langi.
“It was a good duel, nothing dirty or nasty, just good football,” Crawford said.
And Kade McDonald was in fine form with ball in hand and with the boot, kicking crucial goals in windy conditions.
Winger Finley Ako Buka was also praised by Crawford for another solid performance. “He has stepped up from Val Murphy and really impressed,” Crawford added.
Ben Wells-Talamaivao opened the scoring, followed by edge forward Caleb Norton, Hamish Roshan and the returning Billy Judge in the first 40 before Mathias Tomuli Ah-Juoi, Roshan again, Corban Daniels and finally Ako Buka crossed in the second half.
For Bulldogs coach Duane Gwiazdzinski it was a game of too many errors.
“They capitalised on our errors and we really didn’t on theirs,” he said.
“We dropped the ball on a kickoff and just couldn’t hold on to the football, I think we gifted them at lest three tries.”
Forward Michael Ki, wingers Steven Bradley and Dyshan Simpson and backrower Josh Ngapuhi (best on field) crossed for the Dogs with Daniel Jones kicking two conversions.
“It was a tough game, but they used the ball much better than us and deserved the win,” Gwiazdzinski added.
“We’re still a young side as far as first grade experience goes – Michael Ki, Soni and Logan (Barclay) – but everyone is learning fast and putting plenty of effort in.”