RD 10 PREVIEW | v EAST PERTH

South Fremantle has the chance to move further clear in top spot of the WAFL when taking on East Perth on Saturday at Fremantle Community Bank Oval with the day also featuring the heart warming return of Haiden Schloithe.

South Fremantle had the bye last weekend fresh off a dominant WAFL RAC Derby win on WA Day against East Fremantle and now return to action this Saturday back at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.

The Bulldogs take on the fourth placed East Perth who are just one game back on the ladder with the league contest starting at 2:40pm. The day begins with the colts match up at 9:15am before the reserves gets underway at 11:45am.

Saturday’s game will be the first time that the Bulldogs and Royals have faced one another this season and it’s a chance for both teams to make a statement.

South Fremantle currently sits in top spot with a 7-1 record fresh off the 54-point WAFL RAC Derby victory against East Fremantle.

East Perth are also fresh off beating West Perth by 45 points on WA Day having then had the bye last weekend with the Royals now sitting fourth but only one game back of South Fremantle with a 6-2 record.

South Fremantle premiership winning forward Brandon Donaldson has now kicked 138 goals in his 125 games with the Bulldogs, and is looking forward to the chance to further cement top spot on Saturday.

“They’ve got a really strong midfield and looking at them in preparation for this week, what stands out is that their midfield is really strong with Brayshaw, Tom North and they’ve got some good outside ball winners too with guys like Angus Scott as well,” Donaldson told 91.3 SportFM.

“I think it’s going to be a really good test for our midfielders and we have really added some depth in there with big Hamish Free as our ruckman as well. Hopefully we can get first serve and get it inside-50 and let our forwards like Trey Ruscoe go to work.”

Coming off that dominant RAC WAFL Derby win, South Fremantle has made just the one change for the clash with East Perth on Saturday with Dylan Main going out injured and Riley Colborne taking his place.

East Perth are also fresh off their own WA Day victory against West Perth and from that team, Hamish Brayshaw and Tom Medhat return to face South Fremantle.

Going out for the Royals are Xavier Milner and Adam Boules.

Meanwhile, the colts contest gets things underway on Saturday morning at Fremantle Community Bank Oval with South Fremantle looking to maintain its hold on a top two position.

The Bulldogs are currently sitting in second spot in the colts with a 5-2 record with a chance to return to top spot with a win against the Royals who come into the contest sitting eighth at 3-4.

That leads into the reserves match up which is going to be memorable for the return of South Fremantle’s 216-game, premiership winning, Sandover Medal winning legend Haiden Schloithe who has seen his battle with cancer go into remission.

He’ll be back out there for the South Fremantle reserves on Saturday with the Bulldogs currently sitting in third position with a 5-2 record as they take on an East Perth team currently in eighth at 2-5.