Saunders helps Bulldogs to win over Claremont

An impressive display from ex-Mt Barker forward Ben Saunders has helped South Fremantle down Claremont in their NAIDOC round clash at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.

With both sides wearing specially designed NAIDOC jumpers on Saturday, Saunders kicked 2.2 and provided a constant target with 11 possessions, three marks and three tackles in his side’s 26-point win.

Saunders will be a key part of the Bulldogs’ hopes of toppling the red-hot Subiaco in their top-of-the-table clash on Saturday.

At times, Saunders was opposed to fellow Great Southern product and ex-Albany defender Dylan Smallwood, who took eight marks to go with 13 disposals in defence and was joined in the Claremont side by former Royals player Morgan Davies and Railways junior Matt Palfrey.

Davies finished with 18 possessions and four inside 50s in a lively display, while Palfrey kicked a goal from 10 touches and six marks.

Dynamic former Albany forward Michael Bennell is helping drive Perth towards a rare WAFL finals appearance after playing a hand in their 24-point win over Swan Districts at Steel Blue Oval last Saturday.

Bennell has been a revelation since making his league debut for the Demons, and he booted two goals from 11 disposals last week to help his side creep towards the top five.

The Demons have a real opportunity to break into the top five, with games against Peel Thunder, East Fremantle and East Perth coming up.

Angus Litherland, who hails from Ongerup, was named in Subiaco’s best players after his 18 disposals and four marks in their comfortable win over Peel Thunder on Friday night.

The match was played after a Landmark Country Football Championship fixture between Litherland’s former Ongerup Football Association and Goldfields Football League at Leederville Oval.

Ex-Royals midfielder Steven Edwards had 23 disposals and took eight marks in the reserves for South Fremantle, who lost to Claremont.

Royals junior Declan McNamara was the pick of the Great Southern players for Claremont, with 17 possessions and five tackles, while North Albany’s Rhett Lloyd finished with 16 touches and a goal.