WAFL 2025: South Fremantle star Haiden Schloithe reveals league ambitions after successful return from cancer

South Fremantle champion Haiden Schloithe has revealed when he hopes to break back into the Bulldogs powerhouse league side after a remarkable return to football just months after being diagnosed with cancer. Schloithe collected 13 disposals, took seven marks and kicked a goal in limited gametime for the Bulldogs’ reserves in their win over East Perth. It was an incredible performance from the Sandover medallist considering he was diagnosed with cancer at the start of the year and is now in remission after three bouts of chemotherapy and surgery. Schloithe sparked emotional scenes when he kicked a goal midway through the second term in a fairytale moment at Fremantle Community Bank Oval. “I was excited, nervous, anxious — a bit of everything really but more so excited that the day came around and I was able to have a run and a kick again. I got through unscathed which is great overall,” he told The West Australian. “It (kicking that goal) was a feeling you can’t really describe. It was pretty special, and I was willing it through and it only just did. “There was a lot of emotion, the joy of getting back out there and the happiness as well as the boys all getting around me. It’s a pretty special feeling, I will be forever grateful.” Schloithe said he would now look to play a full game in the reserves against Peel Thunder next weekend before targeting a league berth against Perth in round 12. The five-time fairest-and-best winner will undoubtedly only boost a powerful Bulldogs side that consolidated their spot on the top of the ladder with a thrilling 15.7 (97) to 12.15 (87) win over East Perth on Saturday. Schloithe said the prospect of another premiership to go with his 2020 grand final triumph helped drive him to return to football. “It’s one of the big reasons why I was so eager to get back, the boys are flying,” he said. “This group’s got something special, and we can do something special this year. I just witnessed a bloody cracking game of WAFL footy (in the win over the Royals). “I’m chomping at the bit to, I really want to be back out there with the boys and helping the team get a win.” It comes as key recruit Trey Ruscoe took the lead in the race for the Bernie Naylor Medal on the back of a career-best seven goals against the Royals. Ruscoe now sits on 33 goals — three ahead of four-time winner in West Perth spearhead Tyler Keitel. Midfielder Jake Florenca continued his excellent season for the Bulldogs with 27 disposals, while for the Royals Sandover medallist Hamish Brayshaw had 26 dispsoals and eight inside 50s.