By Les Everett
I went to Leederville Oval expecting a close one. Last year’s Grand Final teams. Both in the top four in 2026.
I’d seen South Fremantle lose a derby at home for the first time in decade the week before but they were still contenders in my mind. Not so for some in the know. There’s a group of Bulldogs supporters who go to every game and park themselves behind the goal to which their team is kicking. They wave flags. They make some noise. And they know what they’re talking about.
An early topic of conversation, after East Perth’s Darcy Craven kicked the first two goals of the game, was whether South would score a goal at all.
“No one who saw us in round two would believe we’d be like we are now,” one of them said.
“Our demise has been swift,” said another.
I wondered if the reigning premiers were really that bad. And my immature footy fan voice whispered, “I hope so.”
The Bulldogs didn’t score a goal in the first quarter but jagged three in the second to trail by 19 points at half time.
The third quarter was weird. Total domination by East Perth and horrible set-shot kicking for goal – they kicked 1.4 and at least two sailed out on the full. Two shots hit the post – one a snap from a pack, one after a mark 20 metres out. Oh, the goal the Royals did get came from the goal line. South were still in it.
The goals came in the last quarter. All to East Perth. The goal-less game feared by the South fans hadn’t eventuated but they did endure two quarters without goals.
So what’s happened to the Bulldogs? I did walk past Matthew Parker in the crowd, Hamish Free is on the North Melbourne list and the two Stroms weren’t there. A bit of research showed 13 of last year’s Grand Final team were playing in round nine of 2026. Maybe that’s the answer. Another bit of research showed the Royals also fielded 13 of their 2026 Grand Final team in this game.
Anyway it was a 48-point win for East Perth. The midfield combined nicely – Riley Saunders, Angus Scott and Tom North popping up everywhere; Scott Jones remains a powerful presence in the ruck; Cory Watts was too good in the backline; Sebit Kuek kicked two goals in the last quarter and took 10 marks for the game while Craven and fellow small forward Jayden Peak were busy. Coby Burgiel kicked a beauty from the boundary in the last. And speaking of kicking – is Stanley Wright the best kick in WAFL. In the world?
East Perth 12.11 (83) d. South Fremantle 4.11 (35)
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A Footy Almanac veteran, Les Everett is the author of Gravel Rash: 100 Years of Goldfields Football and Fremantle Dockers: An Illustrated History. Co-founder with Vin Maskell of scoreboardpressure.com.
Founder of australianrules.com.au and the Instagram page https://www.instagram.com/abandonedcricketpitches/
Yeo, Stanley has an amazing hoof. Could be be an NFL punter? Though hie is more penetrating than hang time. Always have to play a defensive forward on him or he cuts you to ribbons from half back.
A month ago it was Bulldogs v Tigers for the flag and daylight third. My Swan Districts are a rabble; but we beat Sharks who beat Bulldogs we beat Demons who baat Lions; who murdered us. Go figure.
I put it down to mid season cold and wet and tired bodies and players lacking motivation in the grind,’
If only the Dockers would flollow my theory. I guess winning is still a pleasant novelty.