South Fremantle premiership coach Todd Curley has assured Territorians the Bulldogs squad that flies into Darwin for the annual Cazalys Representative Weekend with the NTFL Buffaloes will be "pretty good''.
The 2020 WAFL premiers and runners-up in 2019 and 2021 will be in Darwin on Saturday, January 21 for the third installment of an interstate rivalry that began 50 years ago in 1973.
Curley, in his eighth season as coach of South Fremantle, wants to add to wins over the Territory in '73 and again in 1995.
He is bringing a mixture of experienced and emerging players for the night game at TIO Stadium, including the Territory's own Ben Rioli.
"We've fielded experienced sides for the best part of five years, but there's been a bit of change recently, so it will be a good opportunity to play blokes who have been in and out a bit,'' he said.
"The young blokes will get their chance to stake a claim by getting some spots in the side early, hopefully, that's something they can build on for the rest of the year.''
Rioli and his partner Tahlia are expecting their first child this month.
"At this stage, Ben is in the squad to come up, though he is due to become a dad in the next 10 days so we'll be working around that,'' Curley said.
The late Sibby Rioli began his family's 50-year link with South Fremantle in 1973, the same year the Bulldogs made the long trek to Darwin for the first clash against the NT Buffaloes.
Several Rioli family members including Maurice, Cyril, Willie Jr, and Sr, Dean, and John have played for the club, along with other Territorians like Benny Vigona, Basil Campbell, Mark Motlop, and Michael Athanasiou.
The Bulldogs have spoken to former players Ashton Hams and Haiden Schloithe with a view to them pulling on the club's red and white jumper against the NT.
Both are plying their trade at TIO NTFL club Palmerston and will be match fit if they give the Bulldogs coaching staff the green light on their availability for the Saturday night game.
Hams has become the Bulldogs' eyes and ears in the Top End as they prepare for the January 21 clash with the Buffaloes, advising the Perth club on weather conditions, the playing surface, and the status of the opposition.
"Obviously it's very early in the pre-season for us,'' Curley said. "We don't start our season until the first week in April, so we've got to get a balance on the work we need to do to be prepared for this game and not start too early.
"We've got Ashton up there and with the Rioli connection I think we'll get plenty of information on the Territory side.''
The Bulldogs trained as a group for the first time on Wednesday and will fly into Darwin on the Thursday before the game.
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