South Fremantle have won the battle to secure young key forward Ben Saunders for this season.

The Bulldogs have reached an agreement with Claremont for a clearance for the 20-year-old, who was seeking more opportunities after kicking 68 goals in the reserves last year.

Saunders could only manage three matches in league ranks during 2011 as Claremont romped to their 11th senior premiership.

South Fremantle coach Paul Hasleby confirmed the deal had been done but would not disclose the transfer fee.

Saunders shapes as a replacement for Callum Wilson, who has joined SANFL club Port Adelaide Magpies.

Wilson, 23, played 93 matches for South Fremantle and kicked more than 40 goals in each of his past three seasons with the WAFL club.

Tigers football manager Dean Horsington said there was no disappointment at losing Saunders.

"We just move on and someone else will get an opportunity to play league footy now," Horsington said.

Former Geelong football manager Garry Davidson has joined South Fremantle.

The 58-year-old has replaced outgoing Bulldogs football manager Brent Dawkins, who resigned from the post earlier this month.

Davidson, a Tasmanian Football Hall of Fame inductee, served at Geelong from 1998 to 2006.

South Fremantle and the Tigers meet in a pre-season game tomorrow at Claremont Oval, while Perth host West Perth at Brownes Stadium.

East Perth and Subiaco clash tonight at Medibank Stadium. Former Peel and South Fremantle utility player Nathan Phillips will make his Lions debut, along with recruits Callum Sinclair (Port Melbourne) and Brett Mahoney (Mansfield).

The Royals have former AFL players Paul Johnson (West Coast, Melbourne and Hawthorn) and Marcus White (North Melbourne).

• Fixtures - Today: * East Perth v Subiaco at Medibank Stadium (5.30pm). *Tomorrow: * Claremont v South Fremantle at Claremont Oval (11am); Perth v West Perth at Brownes Stadium (2.10pm).