Derby Ready! Round 8 WAFL & Round 13 WAFLW

East Fremantle take on South Fremantle in a crunch match for both teams on Monday the 5th at the WACA ground. In a pivotal match, the Sharks will be looking to break a 14 game losing streak in Derbies and consolidate themselves in the top 5, while the Bulldogs will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing loss to Perth and remain in striking distance of the top 5. 

The Bulldogs have had the wood over the Sharks for a number of years and last year won both games against the 2 sides. The first one, at Fremantle Oval on WA Day, saw the Bulldogs hold on by 2 points after a late Cam Eardley shot at goal sailed out on the full. The return fixture at the WACA saw South Fremantle kick the opening 6 goals of the game and hold on to win by a similar margin in wet conditions. The teams are both likely to face similar wet conditions on Monday, making the midfield battle all the more important. 

South still have a strong midfield brigade, with promising ruckman Solomon James and midfield group Tom Belchendyn, Matt Parker, Dylan Main and Jake Florenca posing a threat and able to provide their forwards with enough opportunities to score. The Sharks return from Broome with the 4 points, off the back of an even performance, with midfielders Tom Joyce, Milan Murdock, Kyle Baskerville and Fraser Turner all in good form. 

South have regularly sat in the top 3 for points against over the past 5 years, and 2023 is no exception with Noah Strom, State team-mates Chad Pearson and Toby McQuilkin and the improving Glenn Byron sure to provide a strong test for key forwards Hugh Dixon, Cody Leggett and Dillon O’Reilly. O’Reilly and Leggett have formed a strong partnership over the past few weeks, booting 5 goals between them against the Tigers. 

Matthew Jupp will again lead from the front down back, along with excellent acquisition Lennon Marlin and emerging youngsters in Finn Gorringe and Reuben McGuire. Zac Strom again poses a strong challenge- coming off back to back games of 4 goal hauls. 

After a disappointing loss to Claremont last week in the Reserves and Colts, both sides will be looking to bounce back to the winners list in a couple of other crunch clashes. 

The Colts kick the day off at 840am, followed by the Reserves at 1110am and League at 140pm. The WAFLW will play for the Pride Cup at the conclusion of the League game at 445pm.