Fremantle Pride on the Line: The Great Rivalry

On Monday 1^st June the Sharks host the Bulldogs in the annual WA Day Derby at ATOM Stadium. The Sharks won last year's corresponding Derby and also won the last time the two teams played each other: the  Anzac Day Derby 2015.  Significantly, both occasions at Fremantle Oval. The Sharks haven’t beaten their arch rivals at home since round 7 2012, which was the last time a home side won the Fremantle derby. The Sharks currently sit in 4^th spot on the ladder, one position above the Bulldogs, making Monday’s game even more important for the Sharks, hoping to go two wins clear of their rivals in front of the big WA Day crowd.

Jamie McNamara will play his 100^th game for the Sharks on Monday. Jamie has had an impressive career to date which includes 19 AFL games for the West Coast Eagles, 2 seasons in the VFL with Williamstown, WA State Team representation and now his 100^th WAFL game on Monday. Along with Jamie’s milestone, Liam Anthony will play his 50^th WAFL game in Monday’s derby. Like Jamie, Liam previously represented at AFL level playing 58 games for North Melbourne between 2009 and 2014, before he returned to the Sharks for the 2015 season. Good luck to both players in their milestone games.

The Sharks have a named a 26-man squad for the game with plenty of big in’s including: James Bristow, Bradd Dalziell, Jamie McNamara,  Andrew Stephen and Aaron Holmes. The only out so far for the Sharks is Boston Williamson. The Bulldogs have also named a large squad with one out - Traye Bennell - and inclusions Toby Bairstow, Nicholas Borovac, Craig White, Josh Pullman, and Joshua Branchi. The Sharks should be well rested following last weekends State Game bye with Liam Anthony the only Shark to play in the game; the Bulldogs had five players represent WA last Saturday.

The Sharks players will be wearing rainbow coloured laces for Zaidee’s Rainbow Foundation who the Sharks have been supporting for a number of years. Zaidee's promotes the importance of Organ Donation and on WA Day the Sharks are encouraging all supporters to speak to their families about Organ Donation.

Monday's game will kick off at 2:40pm at ATOM Stadium: a big crowd is expected for the WA Day long weekend, so please arrive early and bring cash as there are no eftpos faclities at the gate. The game also will be broadcast from 2:30pm on Channel 7 and 720 ABC Radio.

Schedule

9:20 am Colts

11:50am Development League

2:35pm National Anthem by Sam Roberts-Smith

2:37pm Coin Toss by Sharks Legend Jack Sheedy

2:40pm League

5:15pm After match presentation of Foundation Trophy & Zaidee's Medal

5:20pm Dave Warner & the Dicemen in the Main Hall

The Sharks Development Side hasn’t recorded a win since the last time they met the Bulldogs in Round 6 of this season. That is the only loss for the Bulldogs so far this season who are sitting on top of the ladder thanks to percentage with 7 wins from the 8 games they have played. The Sharks sit in eight on the ladder with just 2 wins from 8 games. However the Sharks will go in confident against the top side being the only side to beat the Bulldogs this season.

The Sharks Colts side sits in fourth spot on the ladder, one position underneath the Bulldogs due to percentage, as both sides have won 5 games this season. A win for the Sharks on Monday will see them jump the Bulldogs and build on what has been an impressive start to the season. The Bulldogs won the last derby in Round 6 by 31 points at Fremantle Oval; the Sharks will hope to bounce back at ATOM Stadium on Monday with the game starting at 9:20am. 

WA Day Facilities Map