Aaron Corlett and Ben Smith – Fremantle Gazette

SOUTH and East Fremantle have backed the prospect of a Fremantle Derby to breathe life into the opening round of this year’s WAFL season.

Both the Bulldogs and Sharks have voiced their support for an opening week derby when the WAFL begins on August 1.

Two months out from the start of the coronavirus-disrupted season, South Fremantle chief executive Cameron Britt told the Gazette they were lobbying the WA Football Commission for a derby to commence the campaign.

“With crowds permitted, I would hope that we would host East Fremantle in a return to football edition derby which would be very high-profile and no better way to welcome fans back to WAFL footy after a long delay,” Britt said.

East Fremantle chief executive Todd Shimmon backed the idea and said a round one battle between the arch rivals would be the perfect offering for footy-deprived fans.

“We are keen to play in a Freo Derby at any time, especially to kick off the season,” Shimmon said.

“The Fremantle community is split either East or South; there is nothing better than a Fremantle Derby to start the season.”

Shimmon said they would work with their rivals to make this year’s Fremantle Derby a memorable one.

“It is South Fremantle’s turn to host the major Derby this year and seeing as there is only one Derby because of COVID-19, we will work with them to get as many people to attend as possible,” he said.

The COVID-19 pandemic put a major dampener on South Fremantle’s 120-year anniversary celebrations, but a decade-long membership record of 1750 has raised spirits.

Britt said everyone at the club was incredibly excited and counting down the days until bounce down.

“Central to this excitement is the fact that we now have an ability to pay back our fans and partners with some live 2020 football,” he said.

“The support from our community through the COVID-19 has been quite remarkable, and knowing that we can now get back to some degree of normality, the return of WAFL footy, is such an important outcome for everyone involved.

“We are increasingly confident that our members and commercial partners will be able to attend games, and a working model right now is to allow 2000 patrons to WAFL games.”

https://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/wafl/south-and-east-fremantle-back-opening-round-derby-for-wafl-return-c-1093822