Dell’Olio lifts Dogs to Royal upset
A third-quarter blitz from forward Cory Dell’Olio propelled South Fremantle to a 13-point win over East Perth at Medibank Stadium this afternoon.
Trailing by five points at the long break after a relatively even first half, the Bulldogs needed a bit of brilliance to help them break the deadlock.
It was Dell’Olio who answered the call, breaking free from his man and kicking two goals in the opening five minutes of the third quarter.
The former Essendon added another minutes later as the Bulldogs established a 24-point lead going into the final term.
Try as they might, the Royals could not peg back the defecit as the visitors ran out 11.16 (82) to 10.9 (69) winners.
Dell’Olio finished with four goals, forming a potent combination up forward with James Seller (three).
Ashton Hams did most of the damage in the midfield for the Dogs, while Simon Panizza helped limit Brendan Lee’s influence in a run-with role.
Steven Payne and Brant Colledge continued their good form for the Royals in the loss.
But it wasn’t all good news for the Dogs, with forward Ben Saunders carried off early in the game with an ankle injury.
East Perth also lost Lee in the fourth quarter to what appeared to be a hamstring injury.
The Royals were boosted in the lead-up to the bounce by the inclusion of West Coast emergencies Colledge and Mark Hutchings.
But it was the Bulldogs who were in control early, with Hams creating plenty of drive through the midfield and Seller proving to be a beacon in attack.
Converting their general play dominance into a lead was proving difficult for the visitors, whose five-point advantage at quarter-time should have been far more.
The Royals got the game back on even terms in the second quarter, with three quick goals to Lee, Shayne Hille and Payne within the space of five minutes putting them in front at half-time.
But the game was turned on its head again in the third quarter, with Dell’Olio’s two goals in the opening five minutes kick-starting a strong response.
His purple patch propelled the Bulldogs to a 24-point lead at the final change, with the Royals unable to run over the top in the final term.
