Former Eagle Wilson joins Bulldogs for 2015 and beyond

THE South Fremantle Football Club has made another significant signing for the 2015 WAFL season announcing the arrival of former West Coast defender Blayne Wilson.

The 22-year-old originally from Peel Thunder has been listed with the West Coast Eagles for the past three AFL seasons, but after being delisted following the 2014 campaign he was looking for a fresh start to his football.

Despite being sought after by several WAFL clubs, the quality and experienced defender of 65 WAFL and nine AFL matches has chosen to play his football with South Fremantle for the 2015 season and beyond.

The arrival of Wilson is on top of his former West Coast teammate Adam Carter also returning to South Fremantle for the 2015 season after being delisted by the Eagles with former premiership player and leading goalkicker Cory Dell’Olio back as well from Essendon.

Dual premiership player Kyle Hams has also signed on with South Fremantle for 2015 following three years with Swan Districts, and then spending last season playing with Busselton. However, he now returns to the Bulldogs to continue his two-time premiership, 106-game career.

Wilson had a successful colts career with Peel Thunder before making his league debut with the Mandurah-based club in 2009 playing four matches.

He then showed good signs in seven games before injury interrupted and delayed his drafting into the AFL until the end of the 2011 season. In that year, he starred as a defender in 17 appearances with Peel in the WAFL and West Coast went on to select him at No. 2 in the pre-season draft.

Injury again curtailed him in 2012 and he managed just eight games with Peel but the last two years he has played with East Perth in the WAFL while listed with West Coast and been a star performer in the Royals’ defence in teams that have played off in the last two WAFL grand finals.

Wilson now brings that experience of having played in big games and successive WAFL grand finals with East Perth to South Fremantle with him while also having played nine AFL matches with West Coast.

Wilson made his AFL debut in Round 11, 2013 against St Kilda and played another six matches that season including picking up 24 possessions against the Gold Coast Suns in Round 19.

He played another two matches in 2014 against the Brisbane Lions in Round 17 and then the Gold Coast Suns in Round 23.

Wilson now joins South Fremantle ahead of the 2015 WAFL season under new coach Todd Curley.

While capable of playing different roles as well, Wilson does immediately look likely to further strengthen South Fremantle’s back-line that already includes Dylan Ross, Nick Borovac, James Sellar, Ashton Hams, Adam Guglielmana, Adam Carter and potentially a returning Kyle Hams.

South Fremantle chief executive Stuart Kemp is delighted to welcome him on board.

“We are very excited to have someone of Blayne’s character and ability joining the Bulldogs,” Kemp said.

“His playing ability speaks for itself having played in the last two WAFL grand finals and his performances in the AFL.

“Also, I’m sure he will fit in very well with our guys having played with Adam Carter and Ashton Hams while at the Eagles. We wish him all the best with our club.”