Bulldogs launch season with a bang

SOUTH Fremantle launched the 2017 WAFL season in style on Saturday night with a successful club-wide event at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.

The Bulldogs hosted Claremont in the final round of the WAFL pre-season with the season launch event taking place after South Fremantle’s league side remained unbeaten heading into 2017 with an impressive 17.8 (110) to 7.11 (53) victory over the Tigers.

After the hit out, the entire South Fremantle playing group made up of those in the senior and colts program gathered in the Griff John Function Centre to be on hard with a large collection of supporters, members, family and friends.

The evening commenced with interviews with senior players Jarrod Parry and Dylan Main.

Parry earlier in the day had seen his comeback from a knee reconstruction gather momentum as he got through unscathed in the reserves clash. Parry said that despite a few earlier nerves, it was great to be back out on the field.

Meanwhile Main who missed Saturday’s game assured the room he would be ready to go for Round 1 and was looking forward to more time in the midfield after spending most of his pre-season working with the midfield group.

Major Partner Fremantle Community Bank were also on hand as they updated the room on the ongoing partnership, with new signage going up last week to further brand Fremantle Community Bank Oval and solidify the partnership between bank and club.

New chief executive Tom Bottrell was handed the honours to officially launch the season and gave a stirring speech to players and supporters about the quest and desire for South Fremantle to once again be a premiership outfit.

Following this the 2017 Player Group Auction was held. Every player from the senior and colts squad was recognised as part of the South Fremantle team for 2017 and allocated into groups being presented on stage.

The bidding that followed was hotly contested, but the overwhelming generosity and support from South Fremantle’s fans was clearly on show. Special mention goes to Player Group 3 which had the highest bid placed.

To complete the evening coaches Todd Curley, Paul Litherland and Mark Foster were on stage with Todd and Mark presenting the Official Leadership Groups of the Senior and Colts Program for 2017.

The seniors will once again be led by captain Ryan Cook with Josh Pullman vice-captain for 2017. Fellow senior players Ashton Hams, Mason Shaw, Ben Saunders, Shane Hockey and Chris Luff.

Meanwhile the colts will be led by Bruno Faulkner in 2017 with Jacob Warne and Enrique Aiken-Featherstone vice captains.

Attention now turns to Saturday and a battle with Subiaco. Be at Fremantle Community Bank Oval for the full day of action in the heart of Fremantle.