More young talent signed by Bulldogs for 2016

SOUTH Fremantle has further strengthened its playing stocks for the 2016 WAFL season with the return of Tom Vandeleur, signing of Steven Edwards and arrival of the son of one of the Bulldogs’ all-time greats, Jordan Matera.

It is exciting times for South Fremantle as the 2016 season approaches with the Bulldogs putting together a youthful squad that will attempt to get the club back into the finals for the first time since 2011.

There has been plenty of experience departing since the end of 2015 including Craig White, Paul Mugambwa, Kyle Hams, Dylan Ross, James Sellar and Toby Bairstow with Callum Ah Chee and Kade Stewart drafted into the AFL.

On top of that, Cory Dell’Olio has been suspended for the entire 2016 season and emerging leader Jarrod Parry has injured his knee and will require a third knee reconstruction.

However, it has been an off-season of impressive returns and arrivals for South Fremantle with coach Todd Curley to have at his disposal a significantly more youthful and talented list in his second year in charge at Fremantle Oval.

Already announced as returning to South Fremantle in 2016 after time in the AFL are Blaine Johnson (Carlton), Mason Shaw (Port Adelaide) and Dylan Main (West Coast).

Shane Hockey is also an exciting signing fresh off being the captain of VFL club Frankston. The tough and strong ball-winning midfielder will be a welcome boost to the Bulldogs’ on-ball brigade in 2016.

Ryan Cook, Marlion Pickett, Josh Pullman, Brock Higgins, Ashton Hams and Haiden Schloithe are among the key players who have signed on to attempt to be part of the Bulldogs’ push to return to the finals.

Blayne Wilson, Steven Verrier and Ben Saunders are all fit and firing ready to go as well after missing significant amounts of time during 2015 with injury.

And now the Bulldogs are delighted to announce the signings of Vandeleur, Edwards and Matera for the 2016 season.

Vandeleur returns to South Fremantle after initially being picked up by Fremantle following a 2013 season that saw him make his league debut for the Bulldogs, and play both reserves and colts football.

While at Fremantle the last two seasons he has played some impressive WAFL football with Peel Thunder both as a defender and forward, and now the 20-year-old will look to have a significant impact on return for the Bulldogs.

Edwards arrives at South Fremantle from Claremont where he played eight league matches plus one in the Foxtel Cup in 2013. He couldn’t break through for a league appearance in 2015, instead playing some good football in 17 reserves games, and now is looking for a fresh start.

The 20-year-old is a quick and skilful player originally from Albany and whether off half-back or the wing, could be a significant addition to the Bulldogs team in 2016.

Last but not least, is the arrival at South Fremantle of Jordan Matera, the son of Australian and West Australian Football Hall of Fame member Peter.

Jordan spent the 2015 season playing in the TAC Cup with the Sandringham Dragons but after the West Coast Eagles decided not to nominate him as a father-son player for the draft, the 18-year-old ended up not being picked up.

A foot injury from last year was sighted as a reason why the exciting left-footer went undrafted but playing in the AFL to follow on from his father’s stunning 253-game, dual premiership, Norm Smith Medal winning career remains his dream.

And what better way to try to achieve that than starting at the same place Peter did, at South Fremantle. Jordan has joined the Bulldogs for 2016 and the club is excited to see him light up Fremantle Oval in the way only a Matera can.