WAFL 2024: More than 10,000 fans expected as Swan Districts, South Fremantle celebrate life of John Todd

Swan Districts are preparing for their biggest home crowd in more than a decade as they mark the memory of legendary WA football figure John Todd when they take on South Fremantle. The Swans and Bulldogs will play for the John Todd Cup less than two weeks after his passing, in what looms as a top-five shaping contest. Swan Districts are preparing for a monster crowd of close 10,000 at Steel Blue Oval on Saturday as Todd’s life is celebrated. It is hoped the crowd could rival the 11,251 that turned out for the 2010 preliminary final win over East Perth. All six premiership cups Todd won as coach will on hand before the game as part of a minute’s silence pre-game. Todd’s family will also be in attendance with his wife Meryl to toss the coin. Premier Roger Cook will also be there and will speak before the game. Swan Districts coach Andrew Pruyn who played six games under Todd in his final stint as coach said he wanted the memory of his former coach to inspire and educate his players. “He’s a huge part of our DNA as a footy club. He was a guy who was involved in our highest of highs but at the same time was the person who came back to save our club when we were about to close our doors in the early 2000s,” he said. “These are the games you want to be winning, where you’ve got a lot more on the line than just the four points. “You want to win not for yourself but for the respect of the man and the people who are coming for him.” Swan Districts have brought in ruckman Nathan Blakely as well as defender Anthony Stephens with Ayden Cartwright and Matt Germs both omitted. The Bulldogs have welcomed back Sandover medallist Haiden Schloithe after he missed the WA Day Derby win because of work, while Caleb Datson comes in with Chase Bourne and Aaron Drage dropped. Peel Thunder have named 13 AFL-listed players to take on the bottom-placed Perth down in Mandurah earlier in the day. Veteran forward Matt Taberner, defenders Corey Wagner and Ollie Murphy as well as wingman Ethan Stanley have all been named, while dual premiership star Blair Bell is also back from injury. Meanwhile, the Demons have welcomed back forward Aaron Clarke from an ankle injury but will be without Sam Simpson who is sick.