Hasleby wants derby effort to become benchmark

SOUTH Fremantle put on its most emphatic performance of the season to win the Foundation Derby by 67 points but coach Paul Hasleby wants that effort to now be the benchmark rather that a one-off display from the Bulldogs.

South Fremantle had won just one game so far this season coming into the derby but aside from the previous week's loss to Claremont and the Round 6 loss to Subiaco, the Bulldogs had shown flashes of what they were capable of in every other game so far.

However, it wasn’t until Sunday at East Fremantle Oval when everything clicked with South Fremantle's defensive pressure on the Sharks enormous all over the field, and then the skills and running game was a delighted to watch as the Bulldogs cruised to the thumping win.

It was one of those days where everything just clicked for four quarters for the Bulldogs for the first time this season, and Hasleby enjoyed watching it all come together in front of 5120 people at Shark Park.

"We would have taken any win but it was one of the more enjoyable days in the coaching box that's for sure," Hasleby said.

"The boys just brought great pressure and effort, and were able to turn the ball over quicker than we normally do against the Sharks to get the ball back, and then we had some really good, efficient avenues towards goal in the forward-line which always helps.

"We had a big focus on their uncontested marks and keeping that pretty low, and we kept them to under 50 which is a world record for us. There is a lot of work rate that goes into that, but also the communication between ourselves and that really does help."

South Fremantle did not have a single player in its 22 who didn’t contribute strongly.

Hasleby liked how the forward-line came together with Alistair Gillespie, Ashton Hams and Adam Guglielmana all kicking three goals each, and Mitch Banner, Paul Mugambwa and John Sgherza two as the Bulldogs piled on 21 goals for the afternoon.

The coach was particularly delighted with the game of former Claremont versatile big man Gillespie who finished with not only three goals, but also 27 possessions after he filled in in the ruck once Sean Tighe went off with an ankle injury.

"The forwards were really good and Adam Guglielmana was very dangerous, and we had Kris Miller and Mitch Banner down there. Gumby always presents well and it was pleasing for Gillespie to finish with three goals and 27 possessions in what was his best game for the club. We now have to build on the chemistry that those guys had out there and take it into the Subi game," he said.

"He was feeling better with his knee for the first time in a while as well and that helped him. It was pleasing that when Sean did go down, he took it upon himself to do something about it and he was having quite an impact before that as well. The challenge for him now is to be able to do that every week now."

Without doubt the two most dominant performers on the field were Hams and captain Ryan Cook, and Hasleby is delighted to have them in his side but believes both should be running around in the AFL on a regular basis.

"They are both great players. In my opinion, they both should be back in the AFL or playing in the AFL particularly Ryan Cook with his season so far," he said.

"He has been an absolute star and he has really worked on some of the deficiencies in his game. I think he is ready now for another shot at the elite level."

While defensive pressure hasn’t always been South Fremantle's strong suit so far in 2013, one player who is making it his trademark is 20-year-old Jacob Martinez.

He laid another nine strong tackles on Sunday and also did a good job quelling the influence of South Fremantle's prolific midfielder Rory O'Brien.

"His defensive intensity reminds me a lot of Troy Cook in the way he goes about it," Hasleby said.

"He was also very good with ball in hand this week, but I thought he stopped O'Brien from having much influence on the game as well and he has cut us up quite a bit in the past. Full credit goes to 'Spaniard' for his effort."

Tim Kelly is one of a host of young players that Hasleby has given an opportunity this season, and he put in another solid effort against the Sharks in his second league game with 15 possessions, six marks, five clearances and a goal.

"Timmy had a fantastic year in the colts last year and he's so clean around stoppages and below his knees," he said.

"He hits the ball at the contest at speed, and is still able to take it away so he is going to be a great asset for us for many years now."

Hasleby hasn’t been afraid to drop players back to the reserves this season for them to work on particular aspects of their game.

It worked with Adam McIntosh and Martinez earlier in the year, and in the derby both Adam Carter and Alex Grima made strong returns to the league side after several weeks working on their games in the reserves.

"It was a great effort from both of them and they are very important players for us going forward when playing well," he said.

"We've had some success, if you call it that, with guys going back to play well and then come back into the league side to do well and do a job. That was pleasing from that point of view."

Even though Tighe didn’t come back on after hurting his ankle, Hasleby is backing him in to get up and take on Subiaco at Leederville's Medibank Stadium this Saturday.

"He's had to have some scans but he's a tough character. He tried to come back on after he limped off which was a good sign that it wasn’t too bad," he said.

"He will do all he can to get back up and I will back him in to be able to do that. We even had John Sgherza in the ruck there in the last half and he competed manfully, but you don’t want to have to do that too often."

As impressive as the derby win was, Hasleby knows it counts for precious little if South Fremantle doesn’t come out with the same effort and intensity levels this Saturday against a Subiaco team that shocked the unbeaten Claremont on Sunday at Claremont Oval.

"You are kidding yourselves if you don’t give that effort every week. As a club, that's what we strive for and if you bring that attitude in any game, you will be a chance," Hasleby said.

"Even though we are a young group, we need to learn that is now the standard effort and if we can continue that, and keep raising the standard then we will be a good football team in the future."

By Chris Pike