Dell’Olio finds best form for WA, looks to continue with Bulldogs

CORY Dell’Olio likely played his best game of the year on return to the WAFL in Saturday’s State game win over South Australia and now he is looking to continue that form for South Fremantle in WA Day’s Foundation Derby as the Bulldogs look to get back on the winner’s list.

Dell’Olio was a late addition to the WA squad to take on the SANFL in Saturday’s eventual 45-point State game win at Lathlain Park, but in the end his second time representing his state proved a day to remember.

He previously played for WA in 2011 against Queensland before the South Fremantle premiership forward spent the last three years in the AFL with Essendon.

The 25-year-old has returned to the Bulldogs this year and on Saturday formed part of a terrific forward-line for WA alongside Simpson Medallist Ryan Davis, Shane Yarran, Tony Notte, Clancy Wheeler and Lachlan Delahunty.

Dell’Olio ended up kicking three goals from 20 possessions and seven marks in the 45-point win and he will now always remember the occasion as one of his career highlights.

“We all got on pretty well early on and me and Davo knew our roles, and the big guys were awesome and the way they run around the ground is first class. There was so many different dimensions we could have gone with so it was really good to be part of a forward-line that worked so well together,” Dell’Olio said.

“Leading into this game I had previously played one State game against Queensland but to play against South Australia was another step up, and to win was really important for me and I think for everyone involved. To come away with a great win like that was first class and it’s something that I will always remember personally.”

Dell’Olio’s game back in Round 7 against East Perth was terrific when he kicked four goals in South Fremantle’s win, but he was admittedly quiet in the loss against Peel Thunder leading into the State game giving him added incentive to bounce back in the Black Swans jumper.

Not only did he do that personally, but he enjoyed the chance to represent the WAFL alongside Bulldogs teammates Ryan Cook, Ashton Hams, Blayne Wilson and Marlion Pickett.

“In the last WAFL game I played I didn’t really do too much but to be a pretty big contributor in the State game is something I will remember for a long time, and it was pretty special,” he said.

“We are sitting mid-table so to have five players in the State team is pretty lucky I reckon, but they all deserved their spots and it definitely makes enjoying the win all the sweeter to do it with some teammates.”

Dell’Olio had a slow start to his return season to South Fremantle simply because he had to sit out the first two games while waiting for the Essendon verdict to be handed down by the AFL tribunal.

However, his form has been building steadily over the course of the season, he’s kicked 14 goals in his six games at South Fremantle and now two of his last three matches have been his best of the year to date, so he’s happy with the progress he’s making.

“It wasn’t ideal my start to the season but hopefully things can only go up from here. I probably have contributed to a few games but not done a whole, but I’ve been trying the last few weeks to start putting together some full four-quarter efforts,” Dell’Olio said.

“This week even in the last quarter I really felt as though I was running on top of the ground whereas in the first few games I didn’t want to be anywhere in the last quarter, so things are starting to come together now.”

South Fremantle and Dell’Olio now turn their attention to the Foundation Derby on WA Day at East Fremantle Oval with the Bulldogs desperate to return to the winner’s list following a disappointing last up effort against Peel Thunder prior to the State game bye.

“It’s a massive game next week now,” Dell’Olio said.

“They got us last time too so we really need to win this one to start the second half of the season off pretty well.”