Schloithe opens up on inspirational journey to fourth WAFL grand finalWednesday, September 17, 2025 - 8:49 AM - by Jordan McArdle

From finding a cancerous lump in January to playing in a WAFL Grand Final nine months later, the comeback story of Haiden Schloithe is nothing short of remarkable.

The Sandover medallist and 2020 South Fremantle premiership hero’s return to the field, one of the heartwarming stories of the season, reaches another amazing chapter when he runs onto Optus Stadium against East Perth on Sunday.

After surgery and several bouts of chemotherapy, Schloithe was given the news that he was cancer-free in Easter and immediately set his sights on a miraculous return.

It took less than three months for the 32-year-old to come back through the reserves before forcing his way back into the seniors after just three games.

Speaking on the Seven Point Play WAFL podcast, Schloithe praised those that helped get him back to where he is and admits there’s an element of disbelief about getting the opportunity to play in his fourth WAFL decider this weekend.

“Some of those tough days when you’re going through treatment, you wouldn’t even know what was going to be happening the next day so there’s some pretty dark days there,” Schloithe said.

“If someone said six or seven months later there would be an opportunity to play in another grand final, I would’ve told them they were kidding themselves.

“A massive shoutout to everyone that was involved at the cancer ward, all the surgery people, all the doctors doing all the follow up checks, I can’t thank them enough for the amount of support and the stuff they did throughout the whole time.”

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Schloithe recalled the moment that he thought he was a chance to play for the club he loves again before sitting down with the Bulldogs coaches and strength-and-conditioning staff and plotted a return-to-play fitness plan of 10-12 weeks.

“It was probably the week after I’d finished treatment when I was back at the footy club and running laps again,” the five-time South Fremantle fairest-and-best winner explained.

“It’s just probably how much love for the footy club and I just wanted to get back to doing what I love most and that’s playing sport, being around my mates and playing for the footy club.”

While he hasn’t made a formal decision about his future beyond this year, Schloithe said the potential of becoming a two-time WAFL premiership player could be the perfect finish to his decorated career in the red and white.

“With everything I’ve been through this year, it’s potentially the right time to step away if we are able to win another flag,” he said.

“I haven’t sat down with the club or anything like that but it would be nice to finish on a high note, that’s for sure.”

Grand final fixtures

Optus Stadium, Sunday, September 21

Reserves: Claremont v East Perth, 9.05am

EGT Colts: South Fremantle v Claremont, 12.10pm

Sullivan Logistics WAFL League: South Fremantle v East Perth, 3.20pm