Round 10 Preview v Claremont

THE good news for South Fremantle out of last week was that the Bulldogs recorded their first win of 2013, the bad news is that waiting for them in response is the unbeaten, two-time reigning premiers Claremont at Fremantle Oval on Saturday.

While being competitive and having chances to win several games, South Fremantle went into last Saturday’s home clash against Peel having lost its first seven matches.

The Bulldogs responded by kicking the first five goals of the game but Peel got back to within a point during the last quarter.

That has happened to South Fremantle several times this season with the opposition finishing the stronger, but it was the Bulldogs who finished the better last week to beat the Thunder by 15 points in the end.

Now given the closeness of the competition, an upset South Fremantle win on Saturday against Claremont, and if Subiaco loses to Swan Districts and Peel goes down to East Perth, and the Bulldogs could suddenly rise up to seventh position on the ladder.

However, it’s a huge ask for the Bulldogs to pull that off against Claremont.

Claremont has played in the last three WAFL grand finals, won the last two premierships, won last year’s Foxtel Cup and so far this season has won its first eight games including a 48-point win over South Fremantle at Claremont Oval in Round 1.

Claremont has also won the last seven meetings it has had with South Fremantle since the Bulldogs won the 2009 premiership. The average winning margin over those seven victories has been almost 46 points with the biggest margin 102 points in 2010 and closest three points in 2011.

South Fremantle’s team looked instantly strong last week with the inclusions of Ben Saunders, Ashton Hams and John Sgherza to the forward-line. Hams and Saunders combined for seven goals before Saunders re-injured his collarbone late in the contest.

He is out of the side and so is key defender Brendon Gulley. Ashton Hams has been named out, but the Bulldogs will be desperately hoping he is still cleared to play by West Coast.

Claremont loses State player Ryan Neates with Jack Bradshaw, M Goyder, Casey Sibosado and Keifer Yu trying to break into a line-up that is still missing the likes of Trinity Handley, Jeremy McGovern and Luke Blackwell.

South Fremantle coach Paul Hasleby and his playing is excited by the challenge now presented to take on the unbeaten Claremont.

“We gain some confidence out of getting over the line and we aren’t afraid of Claremont. We will throw up our very best against them,” Hasleby said.

“We know they are a very good side with some absolute key players for them but we will go about our business, try to disrupt their plans and take it from there. Our boys are really looking forward to this challenge on our home deck with a bit of excitement.

“The challenge for us is just to maintain our intensity for another game against a really high quality opposition and we know that if we have any of those lapses that we had against Peel and East Perth that they will dominate us more than those sides did. It’s a challenge for us and we are looking forward to it.”

By Chris Pike