White One Step Away From First Year FlagWednesday, September 17, 2025 - 11:59 AM

Stepping into the shoes of South Fremantle premiership coach Todd Curley was always going to be a challenge but Craig White has excelled in the role in his first season.

White’s connection to South Fremantle extends through all three grades having come through the colts, reserves, and league.

A Life Member of the Bulldogs, White played 192 league games for South Fremantle from 2004 to 2015, during which he won two premierships in 2005 and 2009. 

Now he has the chance to emulate what Peel’s Adam Read achieved last year, win a flag in his maiden season as senior coach.

“There’s been a range of emotions as the days tick over and there was some relief immediately after the Second Semi Final and there have been some small nerves as the weeks have gone by,” White said.

“But once we get to the club and get stuck into training it has been quite normal, and the excitement is great.”

Having lost just one game this season, to the West Coast Eagles, has made this almost the prefect season to date.

“We feel like we are as ready as can be given the circumstances,” he said.

“We have been able to freshen up certain players that have played every game this season but have had to really push the guys in a training load sense to try and simulate match scenarios given we have only play one game in three weeks.

“The playing group has been fantastic and not once have they tried to go into self-preservation mode in this last week.”

 Having comprehensively beaten the Royals in the Second Semi, but White is wary of a team who showed great character to win the Preliminary Final.

“I thought they executed extremely well and had a very even contribution across the board lead by their defensive unit,” White said.

“Their contest work was very high level as it usually is and I thought they won some very big moments at the right times and obviously took their opportunities when going forward.

Many footy pundits have declared the Bulldogs unbeatable on Sunday, a suggestion dismissed by White.

“We don’t get caught up in that whatsoever, history and sport in general always throws up different and unexpected results,” he said.

“It is two teams that deserve the right to play off for a Grand Final that have executed at the right time of the season until this point

“Our focus is purely on what has worked to get us in this position and then we need to go to work on what the opposition will bring on game day.”

The Royals return to the decider for the second year in a row and are hopeful the lessons learned in 2024 will stand them in good stead come Sunday.

“We are really excited, grateful and have a deep appreciation for just how difficult it is to get to a Grand Final and earn this opportunity,” said coach Ross McQueen.

“The Preliminary Final was a great day for the club, with both our reserves and league teams securing their spots in the Grand Finals.

“This is what we've all worked for all season.”

McQueen pointed out the challenge in personnel to twelve months ago and the bonus of having two sides qualify for the biggest day in local football.

“I think we had seven players who played against Claremont who didn't play in last year's final,” he said.

“Our reserves had a terrific result against Swan Districts, and we are now able to train as one squad all week, like we have all year.

“The players and coaches in both teams will take great confidence out of the weekend, beating quality teams and adjusting to challenging conditions.”

Like his South Fremantle counterpart, McQueen has dismissed suggestions defeating South Fremantle is a bridge too far for his team.

“Every team is beatable, but I have a lot of respect for how South Fremantle has gone about their season,” he said.

“Craig and his coaching team have done a great job.

“That being said, this is a Grand Final.

“Two teams have earned the right to be at Optus on Sunday, and we are one.

“We'll be watching a lot of tape, but I firmly believe our best football is good enough.”