Foundation (WA) Day Derby Preview

IF EVER South Fremantle was going to find something and breathe some life into its season then it would be in the traditional Foundation Day Derby even if it is on Sunday, but it’s an important game for East Fremantle to win at East Fremantle Oval as well.

The game is the first time it has not been played on the Foundation (WA) Day Monday since 1987. That derby that year was played on a Saturday afternoon on May 30 with South Fremantle winning 22.22 (154) to 17.11 (113) in a high-scoring shootout at East Fremantle Oval.

South Fremantle comes into the game after its biggest loss of the season to date going down at Fremantle Oval to Claremont by 67 points.

That was on the back of the Bulldogs beating Peel the previous week for their first win of the season but now they have slipped two games behind Subiaco, Peel and Swan Districts just above them on the ladder.

East Fremantle hasn’t played for two weeks after also losing to Claremont by 42 points. The Sharks had a Foxtel Cup win in the meantime, but they sit on a 4-4 record and present and could slip out of the four with a loss.

The Sharks have also struggled at home so far this season losing to Swan Districts, East Perth and West Perth while recording a win over Subiaco. One win from four home games isn’t what East Fremantle would have expected so won’t want to drop another one on Sunday.

The two teams met on Anzac Day at Fremantle Oval with East Fremantle ending up cruising to a 29-point win on that occasion.

Ever since the Fremantle derby grand final of 1997 that South Fremantle won by a goal in a thriller, derbies on Foundation Day have continued to draw massive crowds and throw up fascinating results.

South Fremantle has won nine of the 15 clashes and there have been some massive hidings to go with thrillers along the way.

South Fremantle thumped East Fremantle in 2005, 06 and 07 by 82, 63 and 157 points along the way to six straight Foundation Day wins, but the Sharks hit back winning in 2009 and 10 before the Bulldogs won again in 2011 by 17 points.

It was another thriller last year at Fremantle Oval with East Fremantle holding on to win by eight points.

The crowds, not that they weren’t before, have been amazing to Foundation Day clashes as well with 108,913 fans coming through the gates of either Fremantle Oval or East Fremantle Oval in those 15 games since 1997.

That’s an average of 7261 to each derby and there’s no reason not to expect something similar this Sunday even if it is called WA Day now as a holiday, and it is being played on Sunday.

East Fremantle had the bye last weekend following the loss to Claremont and with a Foxtel Cup win over Norwood in Adelaide in the meantime.

From the side that lost to the Tigers by 42 points a fortnight ago, East Fremantle’s defence has been savaged with the loss of West Coast’s Mitch Brown and former Docker Steven Dodd. Eagle Bradd Dalziell had 31 possessions that day and also goes out of the side.

There are some terrific inclusions, though, especially to strengthen the forward-line with Brad Dick and Max Duffy back. Big man Rob Young is also a chance for a shock return for his first game since Round 1 after injuring his knee.

Tom Hooker, Scott Jansen, Adrian Ricciardello and Kurt Tropiano are all a chance to get a call up to the Sharks’ line-up as well.

From the team that lost to Claremont last Saturday at home, Mitch Carter, Warrick Andreoli, Alex Grima, Reece Adams and Kingsley Smith are pushing for a recall with the Bulldogs.

Youngster Shannon Burnett and Fremantle-listed midfielder Haiden Schloithe are out of the South Fremantle team at this stage.

By Chris Pike