WA Day Foundation Derby Countdown – 9 days to go

THE Foundation Derby on WA Day is always the biggest occasion of any WAFL season outside of finals and South Fremantle is guaranteed of heading into the clash with East Fremantle at Fremantle Community Bank Oval on top of the ladder.

The Sharks could very well be second too depending on what happens this weekend while the Bulldogs have the bye leading into the clash.

We are going to countdown to the Foundation Derby on WA Day, which falls on Monday June 6 by taking a look at 15 of the greatest wins by South Fremantle over East Fremantle on the famous occasion.

NUMBER 15 – 1978
South Fremantle 21.13 (139) defeated East Fremantle 14.14 (98) 

NUMBER 14 – 2006
South Fremantle 35.13 (223) defeated East Fremantle 9.12 (66) 

NUMBER 13 – 1959, 1960, 1961
1959 – South Fremantle 12.17 (89) defeated East Fremantle 11.12 (78)
1960 – South Fremantle 11.7 (73) defeated East Fremantle 10.12 (72)
1961 – South Fremantle 7.15 (57) defeated East Fremantle 7.8 (50) 

NUMBER 12 – 1907
South Fremantle 6.8 (44) defeated East Fremantle 4.9 (33) 

NUMBER 11 – 2007
South Fremantle 15.15 (105) defeated East Fremantle 13.13 (91) 

NUMBER 10 – 2008
South Fremantle 18.11 (119) defeated East Fremantle 14.6 (90) 

NUMBER 9 – 2003
South Fremantle 13.9 (87) defeated East Fremantle 13.8 (86)

South Fremantle came into the 2003 Foundation Day Derby with just four wins for the season while East Fremantle was languishing with just the one win so far for the year.

The battle at East Fremantle Oval would prove the old the theory that no matter how well either side is performing, and no matter ladder positions, things can all change in a derby and everyone rises for the occasion.

Over 4000 people turned out to Shark Park for the contest that turned out to be a thriller and the beginning of the Bulldogs dominating derby battles for much of the next decade. 

The first half was decidedly one-sided as South Fremantle opened with a six goal to three opening to build a handy lead before building on it further with a four goal to two second term.

Heading into the main break with a five-goal lead, it appeared a case of how far for the Bulldogs in this Foundation Day Derby clash. 

However, East Fremantle was not done with and chipped away at the lead throughout the second half.

South Fremantle somehow was able to hold firm though and fend off the determined late charge of their old foe clinging to a one-point win. 

South Fremantle’s chief goal scorer for the day was Michael Brown who kicked four goals while he was supported up forward by James Byrne who kicked three.

From the 22 players that South Fremantle fielded, 14 would either go on to play AFL football, or had already done so.

Ricky Mott (Sydney, Carlton), Brad Bootsma (Fremantle), Matt Clucas (Fremantle), Joe McLaren (St Kilda, North Melbourne), James Byrne (Adelaide), Keren Ugle (Fremantle) and Evan Hewitt (North Melbourne, Adelaide) all had AFL experience.

While Travis Gaspar (West Coast), Daniel Gilmore (Fremantle), Scott Thornton (Fremantle), Jacob Surjan (Port Adelaide), Clint Jones (St Kilda) and Andrew Siegert (Fremantle) would all go on to varying levels of success at AFL level.

And the East Fremantle side was hardly without past or future AFL talent either including Damien Gaspar, Luke McPharlin, Brent Staker, Craig Treleven, Michael Collica and Brett Peake.

It would also prove to be the final Foundation Day Derby for Marty Atkins with South Fremantle's game record holder retiring at the end of the 2003 season. He went on to become football manager at both South Fremantle and Peel Thunder, and is the current CEO of Perth.

It would also be the final season for another great of the Bulldogs, Tom Bottrell Jr. He too has remained involved in football and is the current CEO of Swan Districts.

South Fremantle couldn’t manage to play finals in 2003 but it was soon to be the beginning of a remarkable era with John Dimmer arriving as coach that would bring about two premierships and seven finals appearances over the next eight seasons.