Hockey signs with Bulldogs and key players re-sign

THE South Fremantle Football Club wishes to announce that Frankston VFL captain Shane Hockey has signed a two-year deal to join the Bulldogs from the 2016 WAFL season with several other key players also re-signing.

Hockey arrives at South Fremantle with a reputation as a tremendous leader as well as a tough and prolific midfielder after over 100 games in the VFL with Frankston including the 2015 season as skipper.

He joins the Bulldogs on a two-year contract and is one of several new player signings that the South Fremantle Football Club will announce in coming weeks heading into Todd Curley's second season in charge as coach looking to return to the finals in 2016 after a four-year absence.

Several key players have also been re-signed heading towards the 2016 season including reigning fairest and best winner Ashton Hams, 2014 Hughes Medallist Haiden Schloithe, ruckman Brock Higgins, state defenders Blayne Wilson and Marlion Pickett, and key forward Josh Pullman.

Hockey comes to South Fremantle to provide hardness and experience to the midfield where he will play alongside the likes of Hams, Schloithe, Tim Kelly, Ryan Cook, Jacob Martinez, Jarrod Parry, Steven Verrier, Brendan Verrier, Anthony Collica and Tim Stewart.

The 27-year-old is a proven tough and consistent on-baller and with over 100 games of VFL experience behind him, and is the exact type of addition to a midfield high on run and skill the Bulldogs were after.

South Fremantle CEO Stuart Kemp has no doubt that Hockey will be a significant addition for the Bulldogs.

"We are really excited to welcome a player of Shane's ilk and experience in the game," Kemp said.

"He is a quality person and brings with him strong leadership traits that will help our group to continue to improve."

Meanwhile, Ashton Hams had an outstanding 2015 season for the Bulldogs culminating in the 153-game dual premiership player and two-time Simpson Medal winner running away with the WJ Hughes Medal as the club's fairest and best winner for the first time.

The 29-year-old has re-signed with South Fremantle for the next two seasons as has his good friend, and fellow Katanning native Haiden Schloithe.

Schloithe had his 2015 interrupted by ankle an injury but made a strong return as a forward kicking 20 goals from 13 matches. The 22-year-old was coming off winning the fairest and best award in 2014 and will look to get back to his best both in the midfield and across half-forward in 2015.

Big man Brock Higgins is another important South Fremantle player to re-sign for 2016 and beyond. The 25-year-old has put together two strong seasons with the Bulldogs after leaving East Perth, and he again will be an important player going forward both in the ruck and up forward.

Blayne Wilson had a tremendous first half of his debut season with South Fremantle in 2015 on the back of being delisted by the West Coast Eagles. That included him playing in Western Australia's win over South Australia before his season ended early with a shoulder injury.

Having that taken care of early means the 23-year-old who has played 80 WAFL matches will be right to go for the start of pre-season as he prepares for his second season with the Bulldogs.

Marlion Pickett had a breakout 2015 season for South Fremantle as a running defender and that included him representing WA as well. The 23-year-old is another commit to the Bulldogs unless he gets picked up by an AFL club for 2016.

Josh Pullman proved in 2015 that he could be a potent force in the forward-line for South Fremantle with his ability to provide a contest, lead strongly, take a good mark and be a reliable shot on goal. That is everything you ask of a key forward and the Bulldogs are delighted he has re-signed as well.

Kemp is delighted with the players committing their futures to South Fremantle.

"Consolidation of our group has been priority and we are very pleased that all of our players are recommitting to each other," Kemp said.

"That shows they all want to achieve something together."

Meanwhile, Kyle Hams won't be continuing his career at South Fremantle in 2016 after returning to the Bulldogs successfully in 2015 after a five-year absence.

The dual premiership player took part in all 20 games of 2015 and finished fourth in fairest and best voting, but travelling to and from Busselton proved difficult and his South Fremantle career ends at 126 matches.

Former AFL big man James Sellar has also returned to Adelaide after two years with South Fremantle with premiership players Craig White and Paul Mugambwa having retired.