Sharks win Foxtel Cup Semi Final

East Fremantle FC has booked its place in the Foxtel Cup Grand Final by defeating Werribee by 24 points in torrential rain at Patersons Stadium. The Sharks showed a Tigers side full of AFL players how to play wet weather football, winning 6.4 (40) to 2.4 (16). Over 1 million litres of water fell in the stadium, which became more of a swimming pool (or a water slide) by the end of the game.

The Sharks got off to a flying start, kicking 3 goals within 9 minutes, including the first goal of the game to Mitch Boyle, from 55m out.  Brad Dick kicked the first of his 2, a left foot snap from 30m out, followed minutes later by Ryan Lester-Smith with a set shot goal from just outside the 50.

Once again the Sharks midfield revelled in the wet conditions, with Mark McGough, Mitch Boyle and Rory O'Brien all racking up the possessions as the Sharks dominated the clearances.

The Shark dominated the second term with goals from Brad Dick, Rory O'Brien and Aidan Tropiano, who scored off a brilliant 2-step, 60m snap, allowing East Fremantle to go into the main break 29 points up, 38 to 9.

The rain was the winner in the second half, with the Sharks kicking just 2 behinds and Werribee just 1 goal 1 behind.

Brisbane Lions 2003 premiership player Richard Hadley worked relentlessly for the Sharks throughout the entirety of the contest, recording game-highs in possessions (20), contested possessions (14), tackles (7), clearances (6) and inside-50s (7).

Tom Howlett took a game-high seven marks and was superb as the general in defence, reading the play brilliantly.

The boys enjoyed the victory and you can view their team song on the Sharks facebook page.

The win sets up the possibility of an all-WA final, with Claremont playing West Adelaide in the other semi-final next Tuesday.

The Foxtel Cup final will be played on Tuesday 6th August, either at Patersons Stadium (if Claremont win) or AAMI Stadium (if West Adelaide win).

East Fremantle  3.0 6.2 6.3 6.4 (40)
Werribee             0.3 1.3 1.3 2.4 (16)

Goals
East Fremantle: Dick 2, O’Brien, Tropiano, Boyle, Lester-Smith
Werribee: Tudor, McKinley 

Best (according to AFL.com)
East Fremantle: O’Brien, Hadley, Howlett, McGough, Tropiano
Werribee: Brown, Kennedy, Sierakowski, Purton-Smith

Further commentary

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sport/a/-/wafl/17939882/east-freo-reach-foxtel-cup-final/

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-07-10/foxtel-cup-match-report-east-freo-v-werribee

Match Stats

Match Video