Round 6 Preview v Subiaco

SOUTH Fremantle returns to Fremantle Oval this Saturday for the first of two games within five days as the Bulldogs desperately search for their first win of the 2013 WAFL season against Subiaco.

Even though South Fremantle has lost its first four games of the season there has been encouraging signs in each game especially the first half against Claremont, the performance either side of half-time against West Perth, the first and third quarters against Perth and everything outside of the second term last Saturday against Swan Districts at Steel Blue Oval.

However the fact is that the Bulldogs have lost those four games largely thanks to falling away in the second half against the Tigers, a slow start against West Perth and then disappointing second terms against both Perth and Swan Districts.

Despite those four losses, South Fremantle has been a chance to win each game and a couple of kicks either way and a bit of luck, and the record could easily be 3-1 but the facts are that it's 0-4 making Saturday's clash with Subiaco a crucial one.

Subiaco hasn’t been in the best of form either so will be equally hungry to win after kicking its lowest ever score against Claremont in a 54-point loss last Friday night. The Lions have only managed a win this season against East Perth while losing to West Perth and East Fremantle.

One win between the Bulldogs and Lions so far this season heading into Round 6 says it all about how determined both sides will be to come away with the four points on Saturday.

For South Fremantle, a win on Saturday will be the perfect lead in to a massive derby against East Fremantle also at Fremantle Oval on ANZAC Day this coming Thursday.

While Adam Guglielmana and Ben Saunders are still among the players on the sideline for the Bulldogs, there are some big inclusions including three-time fairest and best winner Kris Miller after his one-week suspension and dual premiership defender Craig White after he was a late withdrawal last week.

Young midfielder Anthony Collica made a solid return in the reserves last week and is a good chance to come back into the side to take on Subiaco as well with West Coast-listed utility Adam Carter likely to get a chance after also building some form in the reserves over the early weeks of the season.

Warrick Andreoli is the only out at this stage with some good pressure on for spots with those four returnees all likely starters in the 22 meaning that coach Paul Hasleby will have some thinking to do over who makes the cut and who doesn’t to take on Subiaco.

South Fremantle will be especially backing in ruckman Sean Tighe to give his midfielders first use of the ball against Subiaco. Tighe was this week included in the WA squad that will take on Victoria next month while with Callum Sinclair playing for West Coast, Subiaco is without a recognised ruckman.

Last week, captain Aidan Parker and Clancy Wheeler both battled manfully while outmatched against Claremont's Mark Seaby and Mitch Andrews.

Tighe will be looking for another big game against the Subiaco pair with Miller, Collica, Mitch Banner, Ryan Cook, Toby Bairstow, Reece Adams and Haiden Schloithe looking to take full advantage.

By Chris Pike