NAIDOC ROUND PREVIEW V CLAREMONT

TOP spot goes on the line on Saturday with South Fremantle and Claremont locking horns in their traditional and annual NAIDOC Week contest at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.

South Fremantle comes into the game in third place and Claremont on top of the ladder, but a win on Saturday for the Bulldogs against the Tigers and if Subiaco loses also at the same time, and the reigning premiers could end up in top spot by Saturday night depending on percentage.

The traditional NAIDOC Round clash features South Fremantle and Claremont, and the Bulldogs and Tigers will be battling over the Jimmy Melbourne Cup once again on Saturday at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.

Not only do both clubs have a remarkable history with Indigenous players and the Aboriginal culture, but the game could very well end up being a defining one in the seasons of both clubs.

They met in last year's Grand Final at the same venue with South Fremantle winning a remarkable contest over Claremont, and then in their earlier meeting this season at Revo Fitness Stadium it was the Tigers beating the Bulldogs by 16 points in Round 2.

Little separates the two teams now coming into Round 14 as well with all teams having played 10 matches. Claremont sits on top of the ladder at 8-2 while South Fremantle is third at 7-2 meaning Saturday's game is going to be significant.

A win for the Tigers and suddenly they are two games clear of the Bulldogs and looking good at least for a top two finish. 

But a win for South Fremantle and suddenly they will be on the same record and right now there's only five percentage points between them. That would close up with a Bulldogs victory on Saturday as well.

The South Fremantle Indigenous jersey for NAIDOC Round was created by Shardah Jetta-Farmer. It still includes the club's famous Red V which represents the path to the meeting place which is found in the centre of the jumper.

The boomerings featured symbolise the South Fremantle players going into battle while the Swan River is depicted at the bottom of the jumper which will be worn proudly.

Claremont's jumper has been designed by Tigers product Francis Watson and is made up of artwork to recognise honey ants and ant holes, communities, a blue curved line and the meeting places.

South Fremantle and Claremont began the NAIDOC Week concept in the WAFL back in 2007 by playing off for the Jimmy Melbourne Cup and with both teams wearing specially designed Indigenous themed jumpers to mark the occasions.

They have continued to do it every year since and will clash for the 14th time in NAIDOC Week this Saturday at Claremont Oval in what is an important game for both clubs.

Claremont has won 10 of the previous 13 battles over the Jimmy Melbourne Cup since 2007 with South Fremantle's lone wins coming in 2009 by 78 points and the last two years by 25 and 26 points respectively.

South Fremantle's heritage of Indigenous players includes the club having named its own Indigenous Team of the Century in 2009, having four Bulldogs players named in the AFL's Indigenous Team of the Century and had almost 100 players of Aboriginal backgrounds representing the club.

South Fremantle and Claremont have set the standard in the WAFL with NAIDOC celebrations largely because of the Indigenous players historically who have come through their ranks, including Stephen Michael, Wally, Phil and Peter Matera, Jeff Farmer, Maurice Rioli, Nicky Winmar (South Fremantle), and Jim and Phil Krakouer, Irwin Lewis and son Chris (Claremont).

South Fremantle beat Perth a fortnight ago and from that team, captain Dylan Main and fellow premiership pair Brandon Donaldson and Zac Dent return.

Donaldson kicked four goals a month ago against East Perth before missing two weeks ago against Perth while Dent was a crucial part of the premiership defence last year and he'll make his first league appearance of the season on Saturday.

There's impressive depth now building at South Fremantle too and both veterans Blayne Wilson and Brock Higgins are among the players set to play in the reserves.

Jarrad Doney, Travis Abbot and Jarrod Salmeri are the players to lose their place in the team at the Bulldogs.

Claremont lost to West Perth two weeks ago and the Tigers have made a huge call at selection with the dropping of former captain, premiership star and Sandover Medallist Kane Mitchell.

He is joined out of the team by Anthony Treacy and Anton Hamp with Lachlan Martinis, Max Spyvee and Ben Elliott coming in.

NAIDOC ROUND – 2021 OPTUS WAFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON
SOUTH FREMANTLE v CLAREMONT – FREMANTLE COMMUNITY BANK OVAL, SATURDAY 2.40PM

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