Saunders holds key for Black Swans
Ben Saunders’ mercurial ability was on full display when he took a spectacular high mark on Monday that would not have looked out of place alongside the John Gerovich statue a few metres away outside Fremantle Oval.
A massive leap was followed by a one-handed grab above a big pack that culminated in Saunders curling the ball into his body as he returned to earth.
Saunders’ neat kick for goal that gave South Fremantle hope of a comeback win over their arch rivals East Fremantle was a suitable climax to the crowd-lifting capture.
Saunders also kicked the first goal of the game, but while he had little other success in the match that his team lost by 17 points, he was recognised this week when he was included in the State squad.
He is the only spearhead in the 36-man squad and is almost certain to take on South Australia at Lathlain Park this month.
Bulldogs coach Todd Curley, who has been pleased with Saunders’ strong defensive efforts this season, accepted that the 23-year-old was a player who would drift in and out of the game.
“Ben is such a powerful athlete that he is hard to match up against and he can do things that few other players can do, such as taking that mark,” Curley said.
“He can be quiet for a fair while, but he is working hard and competing hard. He has also had a couple of games where he has kicked 3.5 so a big one may only just be around the corner.”
Saunders kicked five goals for WA against the NEAFL last year and is likely to be one of the keys for the Black Swans this month.
Curley was delighted that Marlon Pickett was a first-time inclusion in the State squad.
The WA selectors named 14 debut squad members, including returning AFL players Liam Anthony, Leroy Jetta and Blayne Wilson.
-Royals forward Josh Smith has retired after succumbing to a chronic ankle injury.
Smith, 29, played 101 WAFL matches for East Perth and West Perth and won a hat-trick of VFL flags for North Ballarat while on North Melbourne’s list.
He won a Simpson Medal for WA in 2011.
