Strong signs from Bulldogs in pre-season opener

SOUTH Fremantle opened its WAFL pre-season campaign against reigning premiers Subiaco at Medibank Stadium on Friday night and despite the 30-point loss, there were plenty of encouraging signs for the Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs were playing their first game under new coach Todd Curley with the former Western Bulldogs, Collingwood and West Perth defender, and West Perth senior coach and Fremantle assistant coach having taken over the helm for the 2015 season and beyond.

Friday night was the first chance for Curley’s men to test themselves against real opposition following a strong pre-season training performance, and it was an opportunity for recruits, senior players and young players alike to see where they sit three weeks out from the season opener.

Subiaco ended up winning the game 12.8 (80) to 7.8 (50) but with four points not up for grabs, it was far more important with the way the Bulldogs played and the crucial game time that the players received, and all the signs were good.

The Bulldogs got off to a flying start against the Lions at the Leederville venue under lights kicking five goals to two in the first quarter, but they only managed two more majors for the rest of the evening.

Fresh off an outstanding 2015 season where he claimed the WJ Hughes Medal as South Fremantle fairest and best, and the disappointment of not finding himself back in the AFL set up, Haiden Schloithe was tremendous for the Bulldogs winning plenty of the ball and kicking three goals.

South Fremantle’s other goalkickers on the night were Tim Kelly, Ben Saunders and Craig White.

Blayne Wilson was lining up in Bulldogs colours for the first after coming off West Coast’s AFL list, and he was terrific in defence and was well supported there by Adam McIntosh and Matthew Gundry.

Tim Kelly and Shaun Bewick ran hard through the middle all game long and racked up winning plenty of the ball.

Overall it was a terrific first hit out leading into Round 1 of the 2015 season where the Bulldogs take on West Perth on Friday March 20 at Fremantle Oval.

Before that, there is an intra-club match this Friday night before the final hit out against East Perth at Fremantle Oval on Friday March 13.

Meanwhile, the reserves beat Subiaco by two goals also at Medibank Stadium on Friday night with Kyle Hams, Josh Branchi, Lewis Harvey and Brad McPhail among the standout performers.

And at Fremantle Oval in the colts fixture, South Fremantle managed to beat Claremont by 44 points in a terrific performance.