FootyGoss :: Club News - South Fremantle [Bulldogs make use of star-studded squad]

Bulldogs make use of star-studded squad

By Mr Dandalooa

Despite a bye in round 8, South Fremantle Football Club remains on top of the WAFL ladder with 20 points, ahead of rivals Subiaco in second place with 16 points.

The Bulldogs, which have won five and lost two, remain ahead of Subiaco, Swan Districts, East Fremantle, West Perth and Peel Thunder, which have all won four and lost three this season.

Claremont, which has only won one game of its seven as of round eight, sits on the bottom, behind Perth and East Perth.

Bulldogs coach John Dimmer acknowledged that the club was blessed with talent and experience this season, drawing on the AFL experiences of Jeff Farmer and Peter Bell, as well as in-form club veterans Ray Smithers, Toby McGrath, and Kris Miller.

However, with mid-range players Scott Delmenico and Craig White stepping up alongside young up-and-comers Toby Bairstow and Nick Groenenberg, South Fremantle have notched some brilliant wins this season with virtually little impact from the AFL greats.

The club has secured notable victories against East Fremantle, Subiaco and of course the thumping of East Perth through the talent of Callum Wilson - rookie-listed at the West Coast Eagles - and Josh Head, with both players drafted into the AFL after playing solid football with the Bulldogs.

South Fremantle took absolute control of the second half against East Perth kicking 16 goals to a mere two, leaving coach and club staff ecstatic.

While The Bulldogs have a plethora of talent to choose from, the club has not become complacent about the close competition in season 2009.

Dimmer said while the boys showed good form against the Swan Districts in round one, the intensity dropped off in the subsequent rounds and the boys were forced to pull their heads in.

Andrew Siegert, Farmer and Tim Malseed missed the East Perth thrashing; however the Bulldogs, through the likes of reserve players Adam Guglielmana and Nathan Phillips, have some youngsters teetering on getting WAFL action.

Fremantle Football Club’s Daniel Gilmore has dropped form considerably this season, notching just four possessions against East Perth; however FootyGoss understands he was unwell during the game.

The Bulldogs play Peel at home this Saturday, before the state game against South Australia is played the following week.