FootyGoss :: Club News - South Fremantle [Bulldogs get more bark with experience]

Bulldogs get more bark with experience

By Mr Dandalooa

South Fremantle Football Club heads into 2009 with experience on its side after securing former Fremantle Dockers legends Jeff Farmer and Peter Bell.

Bulldogs Football Manager Jason Burton told FootyGoss that the inclusion of Bell, a former North Melbourne premiership player and Dockers skipper, would add an aura of intensity and excitement amongst the younger players this season.

Burton said he hoped that the leadership and experience of Bell and Farmer in the squad would see the Bulldogs in a top two finish this season and spot in the grand final.

“The younger guys in the squad are just going to learn so much from him,” Burton said of Bell’s addition to the Bulldogs list.

“We had that void in the past where we had a few retirements over the last three years. Now, our younger guys are starting to step up and fast-track it all and we starting to see them go about showing some leadership in and around the place.”

Burton said although the club underwent an intensive recruitment process after last season’s shock finish in the first round of the finals, he was stoked to see the return of many experienced players.

He also suggested the WAFL world to keep an eye on young gun Jayme Graham this season.

Burton said to be able to beat the demons of seasons past the Bulldogs would have to enter this season with renewed discipline and a changed attitude.

“The first month will be really important, not just in getting wins on the board, but getting our team into a cohesive unit and get things running smoothly,” Burton said.

“I think we got a bit of a wake-up call in last year’s finals, maybe perhaps we weren’t as switched on in the lead up to the finals as we should have been.

“We’ve got to be right on the ball this season and our attitude needs to be more intense I suppose.”

The Bulldogs take on Swan Districts at Fremantle in the season opener on Friday, March 20.