Upper Great Southern trio in the mix to line up for South Fremantle in round one of the new WAFL season

South Fremantle will begin their premiership defence this weekend when the 2021 WAFL season starts. Three Upper Great Southern Football League players are set to play big roles in the Bulldogs side this season as they chase a second straight flag. Katanning’s Haiden Schloithe, Pingelly’s Tom Blechynden and Kukerin’s Jarrad Doney are likely to run out in round one against West Perth at Fremantle Community Bank Oval on Saturday. The Uppers trio, along with Katanning’s Kade Stewart, were a part of the Bulldogs’ grand final win last year but Stewart left South Fremantle to return to his home town this season. Schloithe received life membership last year after playing his 150th game and is poised to spend more time in the midfield this season after splitting his time as a forward and midfielder last season. Blechynden said Schloithe had been a key part of his rise up the ranks at the club. “Haiden’s been training well; he’s one of the most looked up to players at the club and has helped me out a lot in my years at South Freo,” he said. “He will be set to play big midfield minutes and I will be a bit of outside and inside if all goes to plan. “I can’t wait for the season to start. “It’s been a long time coming and it’s been a big preseason, so I’m keen to get into it. “Training has been good. “Now I’m back from my calf strain, I’m feeling good and have been training well along with the rest of the boys and can’t wait to get stuck into it.” The Bulldogs will travel to the region in round three when they take on Peel Thunder in Pingelly on April 17. The 21-year-old said he was keen to play a WAFL game in his home town. “Very excited to hopefully have the opportunity to play in front of my home town and family; it should be a good day,” Blechynden said. “It would be a dream come true to go back-to-back. “Now we have a taste for it, I think everyone is even hungrier to win another one.”