Bulldogs' pre-season preparation goes up a gear

SOUTH Fremantle's campaign towards the start of the 2016 WAFL season is heating up with an official intra-club match and two pre-season matches against rival clubs not far away.

It has been a long pre-season program for the Bulldogs after a disappointing finish to the 2015 season again missing finals for a fourth straight season, but no stone is being left unturned coming into 2016 to rectify that.

While South Fremantle has lost some experience in the form of Craig White, Paul Mugambwa, Kyle Hams, Dylan Ross, Toby Bairstow and unfortunately Cory Dell'Olio coming into the new season, there is plenty of good news.

South Fremantle products Mason Shaw, Dylan Main, Tom Vandeleur and Blaine Johnson have all returned to the Bulldogs off AFL lists while Shane Hockey arrives to provide further punch to the midfield fresh off captaining VFL club Frankston.

The Bulldogs have sweated through a tough summer and are almost ready to start some competitive hit outs to kick up preparations for Round 1 which sees them take on West Perth under lights at Fremantle Oval on Saturday March 19.

South Fremantle will hold an intra-club match at Fremantle Oval on Friday February 19 and that evening will also include the Corporate Classic for 2016.

Round 1 of the WAFL pre-season might take place without South Fremantle but then on Saturday March 5 the Bulldogs will host East Perth at Fremantle Oval. League bounce down will be at 2.15pm.

Then the following Saturday afternoon, South Fremantle takes on Clint Jones and Perth at Lathlain Park in the final hit out prior to Round 1.