How the derby can be won: Tigers look to halt ladder leaders’ recent dominance in local rivalry

The old cliche is that anything can happen in a derby — but in Bunbury, the Bulldogs have won the last six on the trot. The Tigers haven’t knocked off the Dogs since August of 2016, a month before Mark Docking’s side would go on to win their most recent premiership. But the 2021 Tigers are the best looking side to come out of Hands Oval since that year, and now could be their time. A Dogs side ravaged by injuries in the last fortnight look set to get some reinforcements back, and “backs against the wall” footy suits them just fine — they proved too good for Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault last week, their nearest rivals on the SWFL ladder. South Bunbury’s edge could be in their size and contested marking ability. Jordan Strahan has been at the club only a season and a half but has quickly become one of the most exciting forwards to watch in the league. His ability to take huge marks at the top of his leap, regardless of the size of the pack or position on the ground, is unrivalled in the league. And Souths big man Tim Sutherland has proved a more than handy pick-up too, rarely losing a ruck battle and drifting forward to add even more marking power to their forward line. The pressure then goes on the Bulldogs’ back six, and Jacob Wintle in particular. If assigned to Strahan, the premiership full-back will give up size and height in the contest, and won’t fancy being worked up the ground as high as Strahan is willing to go. Could Travis Justins be given the job on Strahan? For so long the leader of the Dogs’ defensive unit, Justins has played mostly up forward this season, but could free up Wintle to play on the slightly smaller, more mobile Cody Nelson on Sunday, if he was thrown down back again. The Bulldogs edge will be their ability to replace soldiers in the midfield. One man out, one man in. In Sunday’s victory over HBL, it was Harry Creasey who got his side moving, kick-starting their stunning first quarter blitz, and it was Blake La Rosa, a colts elevation who made his debut this season, who kept things moving — making his presence felt at stoppages and using the ball well moving forward. The Dogs were without midfield figureheads Jesse Gribble and Jethro Barraclough on Sunday, and even if the pair weren’t to return in time for the derby, Jamie Nani has suitable replacements queuing up for a gig in the middle. Then there’s the wildcard, Randall Hodgson — the reserves stalwart whose league debut saw him bob up and kick three goals and lift his teammates with infectious energy. Despite their impressive start to the season, a lot will have to go right for the Tigers if they are to break the derby drought.