Bulldogs searching for killer instinct
South Fremantle coach Paul Hasleby will be looking for more killer instinct from his side when it clashes with Claremont at Fremantle Oval tomorrow.
The Bulldogs were in control for most of last week's derby win over East Fremantle after kicking five goals to one in the first quarter. The lead blew out to 46 points early in the second half, but South were forced to endure some nervous moments when the Sharks fought back and closed to within two goals in the final term.
The fadeout came after South had given up a 44-point lead in a narrow loss to Perth in round two. Hasleby wants a stronger four-quarter effort against Claremont.
"When we've got our foot on the opposition's throat we just don't put them away because we miss simple kicks or dropped marks or give away undisciplined free kicks," Hasleby said.
The derby result was South's second successive win after their upset of reigning premiers West Perth in round five.
The Bulldogs will fancy their chances against Claremont and Peel in the next fortnight.
"We went into the season very confident and we thought we lost a few of those close encounters through our own doing by not being able to put it on the scoreboard and missing some basic inside-50 kicks," Hasleby said.
"The team's confident, we've just got to carry this momentum forward and turn it into three and four wins."
South will be hoping for more strong contributions from former West Coast player Ashton Hams, who starred in the derby last week with 37 disposals from half-back.
"It was his best game for the year, it was almost perfect," Hasleby said. "His body positioning was terrific, he was clean, he made good decisions and just showed real leadership back in the back half for us."
