COUNTDOWN TO DARWIN | EX DOGS BARK AGAIN

SOUTHS MIDFIELD GREATS TO TAKE FIELD IN DARWIN

Words courtesy of The West sport journalist and NT Trip correspondent Jordan McArdle

South Fremantle greats Haiden Schloithe and Ashton Hams are set to pull on the boots in next weekend’s pre-season clash against the Northern Territory Football League in Darwin.

The Bulldogs take on a star-studded NTFL outfit, which includes ex-AFL players Harley Bennell, Mitch Robinson, Steven Motlop, Ryan Nyhuis, on Saturday night.

Sandover medallist and former Fremantle rookie Schloithe, who retired from the WAFL at season’s end after five best-and-fairest awards and 200 games, has since signed with Perth Football League outfit North Fremantle.

Fellow Souths legend Hams, a former West Coast forward, last played for the club in the 2018 preliminary final and is now based in the NT where he plays for Palmerston.

Hams, 36, has been in red-hot form, racking up 29 disposals and 10 rebound 50s for the Magpies last weekend.

Returning ex-Richmond and St Kilda forward Matthew Parker is unlikely to play because of a rolled ankle, but the news is better for former Adelaide Crow Jordan Gallucci who’s expected to pull on the red and white for the first time.

Fellow signing Robbie Turnbull, a midfield bull who plays for NTFL side Waratah, is also poised to make his Souths debut and meet his new teammates for the first time.

Former Swan Disticts midfielder Ethan Maguire, who has been training with the club over the pre-season, is expected to make the travelling party, as is former South Fremantle colts skipper and Fremantle Next Generation Academy talent Riley Colborne who’s impressed on the track.

The NTFL competition shares a rich history with South Fremantle including Sibby Rioli, Maurice Rioli, Basil Campbell, Benny Vigona, Willie Roe, Cyril Rioli and Cadji Dunn in the earlier years and more recently premiership player Ben and Shannon Rioli have donned the red and white.

The Bulldogs and NTFL have faced off two previous times, the first back in 1973 and more recently in 1998, with South Fremantle victorious on both occasions.