No complacency at Bulldogs despite hot start to season

SOUTH Fremantle coach Todd Curley has understandably been impressed with the Bulldogs start to the 2016 WAFL season to sit on top of the ladder, but he knows that counts for little in Monday's Foundation Derby at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.

South Fremantle has put together an outstanding start to the season winning eight of its opening nine matches prior to the bye last weekend and now ahead of the traditional WA Day Foundation Derby against East Fremantle.

It has been the consistent performances right across the board that has been the great highlight of South Fremantle's season both in terms of the team performance overall, but also the evenness of strong contributors all over the field.

South Fremantle's forward-line looks rejuvenated with the additions of Mason Shaw, Blaine Johnson and Steven Edwards to provide support Ben Saunders. Zac Strom has been strong at centre half-forward with Haiden Schloithe spending most of his time at half-forward as well.

Down back it has been the addition of career forward Josh Pullman that has made the biggest difference. Around him, Blayne Wilson, Marlion Pickett, Adam McIntosh, Adam Guglielmana and Matthew Gundry are having tremendous seasons as well.

And then in the middle, Ashton Hams, Shane Hockey, Tim Kelly and Steven Verrier have been tremendous ball winners with help from ruckmen Josh Branchi and Brock Higgins.

All of that means that Curley has a lot to like about the Bulldogs' start to the season where they have beaten Swan Districts twice, and Claremont, East Fremantle, East Perth, Peel Thunder, Perth and West Perth once with the only loss coming at the hands of Subiaco.

"We've probably had longer periods of consistency this year than last year where we could fall away and were inconsistent at times," Curley said.

"We've still had little patches this year certainly but I think the gap between our best and worst has got closer together.

"We've played better footy for longer periods as well but we worked pretty hard over summer with our preparation to make sure we prepared well and consistently all the time. Hopefully that's had a positive impact."

South Fremantle's last game was two weeks ago against Swan Districts at Steel Blue Oval leaving the Bulldogs a 16-day preparation before taking on East Fremantle at Fremantle Community Bank Oval in the Foundation Derby.

That preparation will ensure the Bulldogs are fresh but they are working hard on making sure they are sharp in mind and body to be ready to go as well.

"Playing on the Monday probably allows us to have a bit more of a solid footy session early in the week after the bye. It also gives us an opportunity to not be so fussed physical and hard training early last week to freshen the boys up," he said.

"We took the opportunity to teach a few things we want to get better at and then build up the physical work.

"Last week we focused on review and some teaching point, and some line training which you don’t get to do that often when you are on a solid run of games. We will then train pretty solid early this week and build up to Monday."

Curley is well used to playing and coaching in derbies on WA Day from his time with West Perth. This will now be his second Fremantle Foundation Derby since taking over as South Fremantle coach and he sees plenty of similarities between any clash featuring fierce rivals.

"Ladder positions are probably irrelevant in derbies anyway. Whether you are top or bottom, they tend to always be spirited and tight affairs. Ladder positions don’t mean much in early June either so that's probably irrelevant, but it's exciting to prepare for a big game," Curley said.

"Hopefully we get a really good day and get a big crowd there with two teams who play a pretty attacking brand of footy which is good to watch. Hopefully it will be a great day."

"You can talk about derby rivalries but there are also rivalries that build between eras and decades between teams that play a lot in big games.

"As a player or coach they are the ones you look forward to playing because they are always ultra-competitive and you don’t want to lose those games more than any other. Games against rivals are certainly the ones you want to win the most."