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Schloithe eyes another AFL chance

Schloithe eyes another AFL chance

De-listed Fremantle player Haiden Schloithe has been backed to earn another shot at AFL level if he can extend a rich vein of form into the rest of 2014.

The 20-year-old had the ball on a string in the first term against Swan Districts at Steel Blue Oval last Saturday, amassing 18 disposals for the quarter in an incredible solo effort.

He was thrown forward during the second half as South Fremantle scrambled to find avenues to goal and finished with a career-high 38 possessions, 14 marks, three inside 50s and two goals as the match's standout player.

Bulldogs coach and former Docker Paul Hasleby predicted Schloithe would not be at the WAFL club beyond this year if he could perform near that level for the rest of 2014.

"It's the best game I've seen Haiden play," Hasleby said. "If he continues to do that week in, week out, I don't think he'll be at our club very long because he's a very talented player.

"Clubs would be mad not to look at him. He's just got to show consistency of performance and effort. I think that's the reason why he wasn't kept at Fremantle.

"If he does that across the whole year (he deserves a shot), because naturally he's a very good player when he does."

Schloithe's dominance in the opening term was so profound, opposition coach Greg Harding praised the midfielder's effort.

The first-term disposal tally is believed to be the best WAFL effort for more than a decade.

"I haven't seen anyone have it 18 times in a quarter in my life," Harding said.

"It was a fair quarter of footy."

Schloithe was one of five Fremantle players axed at the end of last season.

The Bulldogs travel to Arena Joondalup to face premiers West Perth on Saturday and are hopeful of regaining Paul Mugambwa from an ankle injury.

Spearhead Ben Saunders has struggled to have an impact this season, kicking just two goals in the past fortnight.

Hasleby admitted the 2012 Bernie Naylor medallist had looked "off" during the first month, but wasn't injured.