A derby of contrasts

by LES EVERETT

THE old adage is that it doesn't matter where the teams are on the ladder around derby time, something happens to make struggling teams walk taller and strong teams get the wobbles. But it's hard to recall a time when the teams went into a Foundation Day Fremantle derby carrying such contrasting from.

Last week the Bulldogs beat Peel by 136 points while the Sharks lost to Swan Districts by 103.

And while last week's results were extreme the performances of the two Fremantle teams over the season have been at either end of the scale. South has won eight of its 10 games while East has managed two wins.

South's percentage is 164.78, East's is 67.9.

The Bulldogs seem to have it all - midfielders like Toby McGrath, Matthew Clucas, Haydn North and Ray Smithers who win the ball. Exciting run from defence, especially from Daniel Gilmore and Shane Tipuamantamerri. Plenty of scoring options - tall: Ryan Murphy, Evan Hewitt and Ryan Webb and small: Kyle Hams. By contrast the Sharks would appear to have very little but they do have youth on their side.

The initial WA 18s squad was announced this week and East Fremantle is very well represented with Andrew Swallow, Alex Ciotti, Mitchell Clark, Leigh Conway, Josh Kennedy, Patrick Ryder, Garrick Ibbotson, Ben Taggart, Damon Bull and Dominic Foster. Leroy Jetta, Clayton Collard and Justin Hill are the Bulldogs in the squad.

Players chosen in the 18s squad will remain with the program until released so won't play WAFL football again until round 16 if they make it all the way through. The national 18s carnival will be played in Melbourne from June 26 to July 3.

Bounce down for the Foundation Day derby will be 2.15pm Monday June 6 at East Fremantle Oval.

From the Frementle Herald.

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