Four Upper Great Southern Football League players help South Fremantle claim epic WAFL flag over Claremont

Star Katanning duo Haiden Schloithe and Kade Stewart are lapping up premiership success after helping South Fremantle claim a thrilling WAFL grand final victory over Claremont on Sunday. In front of 10,179 people at Fremantle Community Bank Oval, the Bulldogs were able to secure the nailbiting three-point win and claim their first league premiership since 2009. Schloithe and Stewart were two of four Upper Great Southern Football League players to share the special moment together, joined in the team by Pingelly’s Tom Blechynden and Kukerin’s Jarrad Doney. Schloithe, the 2017 Sandover medallist, was highly influential in the win, collecting 18 disposals, seven tackles, five inside-50s and five marks while receiving three votes in the Simpson Medal, awarded to the best player on the ground. The classy midfielder showed his creativity and poise in the last term after having just two touches in the third term. His fourth-term heroics included taking a vital mark and sending the Bulldogs inside 50 moments before the final siren sounded, sparking wild celebrations. “This tops everything,” Schloithe said. “Being at the club for 10 or 11 years, this is the one you want. “We lost three prelims, got absolutely embarrassed last year and written off again this year but I couldn’t be more proud of this footy club.” Stewart, a former Hawthorn player, finished with 12 touches, laid five tackles and took two marks playing predominantly as a small forward. The 23-year-old said winning the premiership with the Bulldogs was an amazing feeling. “It means that much to win a WAFL league premiership,” he said. “A lot of people would have written the year off and say it was only a short season and doesn’t mean as much as a normal one but I think it means more. “After all the effort and commitment the boys have gone through, to first off to get to round one, to then going all the way through to winning a premiership. “I couldn’t be happier; it’s something special. “It’s a dream to win a WAFL premiership.” The Bulldogs led at half-time by three points before going into the last quarter two points down on their home ground. The Tigers extended their lead narrowly to three points midway through the final term before Mason Shaw, who was playing his 100th game, gathered the ball, turned around and kicked a goal to put the Bulldogs up. Bulldogs big man Jimmy Miller marked and goaled from the pocket for the premiers at the 18-minute mark to extend their margin to nine points but the Tigers responded straight away through Declan Hardisty to bring it back to three points. The ball was locked in the Tigers’ forward line for much of the final few minutes, however the Bulldogs were able to take the ball down the other end and a clearing defensive kick landed in Schloithe’s lap to seal the 6.10 (46) to 6.7 (43) victory. Blechynden was impressive with 14 disposals and five tackles while Doney, who got a dream recall to the senior side for just his fourth game, was quiet with four touches and three tackles.