ROUND 12 PREVIEW | v WEST COAST

SOUTH Fremantle has the chance to quickly bounce back from a tough loss to Swan Districts by playing host to the West Coast Eagles this Saturday afternoon.

The Bulldogs suffered just their third loss of the 2024 WAFL season last Saturday for the John Todd Memorial Cup against Swan Districts at Steel Blue Oval, but can hit back a week later against the Eagles at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.

The contest gets underway at 1.10pm this Saturday afternoon and with South Fremantle still sitting in third position on the WAFL ladder with a 6-3 record, it’s a chance to potentially move into a top two position with a second win already of 2024 over the Eagles.

Saturday’s game at Fremantle Community Bank Oval will be the 10th meeting between South Fremantle and West Coast, and the first time they have played at the port since Round 1 last year.

South Fremantle has won seven of the previous nine meetings between the two teams including the last three in-a-row and the first clash of this season which took place back in Round 2 at Mineral Resources Park.

On that occasion, the Bulldogs won by 88 points in an emphatic performance for their first win of the 2024 season with Noah Strom kicking five goals, Zac Strom four and two each to Matthew Parker, Chase Bourne, Luke Polson and Haiden Schloithe.

Tom Blechynden also racked up 30 possessions, Chad Pearson 27, Schloithe 27, Jake Florenca 26, Isiah Winder 26, Parker 23, Toby McQuilkin 21 and Robbie Turnbull 20.

There are five changes to the South Fremantle team from the line-up that lost to Swan Districts at Bassendean by 27 points.

Coming into the team includes Aaron Drage who had a stunning performance last week in the reserves against Swan Districts with 50 possessions and two goals to earn a call up.

Ashton Ferreira also comes in following 24 disposals last week while Ed Graham kicked six goals to go with 21 touches and six marks to book himself a spot in the league side this Saturday.

George Wessels is also back in the team after 31 possessions last week with Solomon James the other inclusion to take over the No. 1 ruck role having worked his way back from injury and having 13 disposals, 45 hit outs and five marks last week against Swan Districts.

Going out from the South Fremantle team that lost to Swan Districts at Bassendean last Saturday are Josh Branchi, Caleb Datson, Mitchell Sinnott, Lachlan Turley and reigning fairest and best winner Tom Blechynden.

West Coast is coming off the bye last weekend and before that lost to Subiaco by 65 points.

From that team for the Eagles, Luke Edwards, Rhett Lloyd, Ethan Sambo and Harley Sparks come into the team to play South Fremantle on Saturday.

Going out for West Coast are Tyler Brockman, Rory Charles, Jack Eastough and Josh Rotham.

With the Bulldogs playing the Eagles in the WAFL league contest, it means the South Fremantle reserves and colts teams have the bye this weekend.

With the bye over Round 12 of the 2024 season, the South Fremantle reserves currently sit in fourth position on the ladder with four wins and four losses from the opening four matches.

Meanwhile, South Fremantle’s colts have currently won two of eight matches this season and will be looking for a big second half of the 2024 season.