The Sharks will be looking to end an unenviable streak when they face Subiaco tomorrow having not beaten the Lions since Round 13, 2000 at East Fremantle Oval.

There has been significant change to the line up that defeated Peel Thunder last week with some very exciting inclusions.

Scott Hancock, member of the 2010 Colts Premiership side will be making his senior debut.  Scott has played 27 Reserves games whilst awaiting his opportunity and has been in terrific form through the later part of the 2012 season and the beginning of 2013.  Scott is a midfielder with a very well rounded game, capable of winning the ball on the inside or receiving on the outside, and invariably uses the ball to advantage.  He will join 6 of his Premiership winning teammates.

Also coming into the line up is Daniel Kerr for his third League match at the Club.  It is always exciting to have a player of Daniel's calibre representing the Blue and White and real treat for all those attending the game tomorrow.

Mitchell Boyle, Jayden Schofield, Aidan Tropiano, Jared Jansen and Brad Cooper all return to the League side.

On the Bendigo Bank East Fremantle District Day it is significant that almost 82% (18 of the 22 players) representing the League side are from the East Fremantle District.

District Day will include free kids activities and competitions on the Allen Street side of the Oval and Sharks fans wearing their Blue and White will be selected to form a District guard of honour as we celebrate the success of our District and cheer the League side onto the field and onward to victory. 

BELATED BIRTHDAY WISHES FOR MARCH 18 – 24 & MARCH 25 - 31

The following members celebrated their birthdays recently and we would like to wish them all a very Happy Belated Birthday and apologise for their birthdays not being on the website.

Allan Ebbs; Doris Bonham; Mervyn Cross; Terry Bourke; Ken Bateman; Ken Reid; Kim Robinson; Joe Angel; Gerry Oeding; Mark Rawling; John Martin; Pat Johnson; Joe Pittorini; Paul Webb; Jackie McDonald; Andrew Smith; Natalie Basire; Heath Fitzpatrick; Dennis Gilleland; Frank Lupis; Jack Beer; Robert Young; Mitchell Parker; Jeremy Shaw; Samuel Nancarrow; Evangaline Earney; Scarlett Tourtouris; Torah Kirkham.

MARCH 25 – MARCH 31

Peter Larkin; Raymond Watts; Robert Dowell; Donald Kitson; Susan Dobie; John Porteous; Doug Sheed; Andrew Perer; Daniel Humphreys; Daniel Hill.

THE MEMBERS' DRAW HAS JACKPOTTED TO $400!

The Friday night Member's Draw has jackpotted to $400 and you must be there to collect it.

On Thursday night just past, March 28th, (as Friday was Good Friday), Kristy Ganfield’s name was drawn out but she wasn’t in attendance so the draw has jackpotted by $50 to $400.

The draw takes place every Friday night between 6:30pm and 7:30pm in the main bar. 

You have to be in it to win it! Only those members who are financial for 2013 go into the draw, so once your membership fees are paid you have the opportunity of taking out the jackpot – but of course you have to be there for the draw.

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK – APRIL 1 - 7

The following members are celebrating their birthdays this week and we would like to wish them all a very Happy Birthday.

Beulah Cronan; Raymond Firth; Patricia Windsor; Paul Bennett; Patrick McNulty; Paul Harding; Scott Kelly; Charlie Ricciardo; Scott Martin; Steve Blakiston; Miles Franklin; Connor Hagen; Jae Flynn; Jonah Finlay.

East Fremantle will look to take their Mid West Academy to the next level during the offseason.

East Fremantle CEO Adam Kelly said stronger communication between the Sharks’ and academy coaches will make for an improved 2013/14 program.

Kelly said meetings held last week were aimed at brainstorming ideas on improving the academy blueprint.

“To be honest the program is modelled on similar set ups in Country Victoria,” he said.

“The East Fremantle Football Club is extremely fortunate to have Midwest Academy staff with the passion that they do for providing opportunity to our Midwest players to be as best prepared for the talent pathway as possible.

"We have an excellent Coach in Craig Walker, a Strength and Conditioning program being overseen by Todd Teakle, Heather Brett holds the position of player welfare and transition, Mark Starling is Team Manager and Jo Starling is trainer.  Their commitment cannot be questioned".

"The academy is an extension of the great work being done in the Midwest by the GNFL, President Colin Cox and his fellow Board members, along with all Senior and Junior Clubs, the Regional Football Development Council led by Chairman Jerry Dawson and Development Manager Paul Pirrotina and the wider community."

“We will look to sharing and communicating with each other so the players get the best start possible.”

Kelly was joined in Geraldton this week by Sharks’ league coach Steve Malaxos and football operations manager Darryn Fry (both pictured along with Craig Walker - Academy Coach).

The trio held a meeting with academy coaches and managers on Tuesday before hosting school clinics at seven schools on Wednesday which included the involvement of current Sharks players and former mid west residents, Andrew Stokes and Luke Murphy.

To finish their trip on Wednesday night, the East Fremantle representatives met with all seven GNFL clubs and Board representatives to discuss the partnership of the two parties.

Kelly said the Sharks would look to help the GNFL with coaching development this season.

GNFL products Mitchell Boyle, Aidan Tropiano and Jack Perham played for East Fremantle in round one of the WAFL competition last Saturday whilst another seven Mid West players pulled on the Sharks jumper in the reserves competition while Tyler Sutton flew the local flag in the colts.

East Fremantle Football Club is proud of the East Fremantle Football District and we have teamed with our Major Sponsor Bendigo Bank to offer families of all participants in our district competition…

 …free entry to the East Fremantle District Day on April 6^th

Two free adult tickets for the District Day match were sent out this week along with a reminder that kids Under 16 are free at all WAFL games, we would love as many Sharks members and supporters to be there to celebrate district footy with us.

On the day we will be asking all Sharks followers to SHOW YOUR COLOURS: It’s been 13 years since the Sharks beat Subiaco at East Fremantle Oval so we’re calling on our district to help get the boys over the line on April 6^th. Wear blue & white on the day to show your support of the Sharks and you could be chosen to form a District Guard of Honour as our League players take to the field.

We will also have COMPETITIONS AND GAMES: We’ll be running free football skill competitions from 1pm-4pm for all ages up to 17 with plenty of prizes to be won. There will also be a jumping castle, a rock climbing wall and plenty of other games to keep all the family entertained.

Game times as follows; Colts 9:10am, Reserves 11:40am and League 2:10pm.

THE MEMBERS' DRAW HAS JACKPOTTED TO $350!

The Friday night Member's Draw has jackpotted to $350 and you must be there to collect it.

On Friday night just past, March 22nd, Reginald Smith’s name was drawn out but he wasn’t in attendance so the draw has jackpotted by $50 to $350.

The draw takes place every Friday night between 6:30pm and 7:30pm in the main bar. 

You have to be in it to win it! Only those members who are financial for 2013 go into the draw, so once your membership fees are paid you have the opportunity of taking out the jackpot – but of course you have to be there for the draw.

APOLOGY – GRAEME WAS HERE ON MARCH 1st, BUT DoNALD MARTIN & STEVE MIGUEL WERE NOT.                              

Apologies – our mistake, Graeme Knapton was here for the draw on Friday, March 1^st and was therefore able to claim the jackpot prize of $600.  Congratulations Graeme.

The Jackpot will therefore start again from $200. On Friday night March 8^th, Donald Martin’s name was drawn out but he wasn’t in attendance so the draw has jackpotted by $50 to $250.

Steve Miguel’s name was drawn out on Friday, March 15^th and he wasn’t in attendance so the jackpot is now $300.

The draw takes place every Friday night between 6:30pm and 7:30pm in the main bar. 

You have to be in it to win it! Only those members who are financial for 2013 go into the draw, so once your membership fees are paid you have the opportunity of taking out the jackpot – but of course you have to be there for the draw.

East Fremantle has had disappointing start to their season, losing to Swan Districts by 11 points at East Fremantle Oval.

The loss of big man Rob Young rubbed salt into the wound as the Swans avenged their Preliminary Final loss, winning 13.15 (93) to 12.10 (82).

Young could be out for up to six weeks, with the utility damaging ligaments in his left knee during a ruck contest in the opening quarter.

East Fremantle led the Swans up until midway through the third quarter, when Tim Geappen kicked two goals to swing the game the Swans way.

The Sharks had begun the game in frenetic fashion, kicking three goals in the space of eight minutes to lead by 17 points midway through the opening term.

Geappen kicked his first goal of the game a short time later to reduce the margin to 10 points, before Brock O’Brien kicked his second goal for the Sharks to see them lead by 15 points at the first break.

Three goals in the opening three minutes of the second quarter saw the Swans take the lead for the first time in the game.

Cameron Symonds managed to stop the rot with a goal for the Sharks, but the Swans extended their lead with back-to-back goals through Murray Newman and Geappen.

A purple patch for the home side saw momentum swing back in the favor of the Blue and Whites, before a goal in the dying seconds from Geappen saw the their lead reduced to four points at half time.

The third quarter was scrappy for both sides as the Sharks failed to score a goal.

Geappen kicked his sixth major of the game to see the Swans out to a 10 point lead.

Inaccuracy in front of goal cost the Swans as they kicked six behinds for the third term, to lead by just 13 points at the final break.

The Sharks started the last quarter in a similar way as they started the game, with Max Duffy kicking two goals in the opening 10 minutes to give his side a six point lead.

East Fremantle threatened to run over the top of the Swans in the final term, but the Black and Whites fought back with goals to Newman and Shaun Hilderbrandt to regain the lead.

Newman sealed the win for the visitor with his fourth goal late in the quarter to see the Swans run out winners by 11 points.

Geappen, Newman and Hilderbrandt showed how threatening the Swans can be up front ,especially with superb delivery from midfielders Tom Roach and Aaron Elari.

Symonds worked tirelessly in the ruck for East Fremantle and was well supported by debutant Fraser MacDougall, while Bradd Dalziell, Rory O’Brien and captain Mark McGough were busy as ever in the Sharks midfield.

East Fremantle’s back six performed admirably despite the loss, with reigning Lynn Medalist Steven Dodd, Mitch Brown and Andrew Stephen among the Sharks’ best.

The Sharks now have a bye before returning to the scene of their preseason draw on Good Friday when they take on Peel Thunder at Bendigo Bank Stadium.

                                    Q1       Q2       Q3       Final

East Fremantle              4.1       8.4       8.5       12.10 (82)

Defeated by.

Swan Districts               1.4       7.6       9.12    13.15 (93)

Goals

EF: Peake, Duffy 3; B.O'brien 2; Macdougall, Boyle, Perham, Symonds 1. 

SD: Geappen 6; Newman 4; Hildebrandt 2; Cameron 1.

Reserves

EF 19.11 (125)

Def.

SD 7.10 (52)

Colts

EF 9.17 (71)
def.

SD 8.15 (63)

1943 premierships players will be honoured by the East Fremantle Football Club at the first home game of the 2013 season versus Swan Districts.

In 1943 'Old Easts' were victors over the Swans 17.15 (117) to 11.11 (77).

There will be six of the eight living members of the team at the opening game of the 2013 season, marking 70 years since their premiership victory.  These are Jack Sheedy, Merv Cumbers, Bob Mason, Graham Teague, Terry Bourke and Dave Cole.

Apologies were received from Ray Gabrielson and Roy Ralph.

This is the report from the West Australian on Monday October 11th, 1943:

EAST FREMANTLE PREMIERS

Giving an outstanding exhibition of the national code of which it has been the leading exponent this year, East Fremantle easily defeated Swan Districts in the Grand Final of the WANFL competition at Subiaco Oval on Saturday and deservedly won the 1943 premiership. It was East Fremantle’s 19^th premiership.

Swan Districts disappointed its admirers and failed to reproduce the good form which carried it from a low position on the list to the grand final game. However the club has completed its most successful season in the league and did well to be runner-up.

The Teams

East Fremantle: Bathurst, Bourke, Clark, Cole, Conway,(Capt), Cumbers, Gabrielson, Hinkley, Jarvis, Johanson, Mason, Murray, Ralph, Richardson, Sheedy, Smith, Teague, Travers and Robertson (19^th)

Swan Districts: Aitken, Bamford, Bowen (Capt), Davies, Dobson, Doig, Jeffery, P and R. Latham, Padbury, Patterson, Pearce, Porter, Radiach, Riley, Ritchie, Roberts, Summerton and Holding (19^th)

The Play

Swan Districts kicked first to the city end favoured by a cross-wind which blew diagonally from the scoreboard into the members stand. Despite this advantage the eastern suburbs team was slow into stride and Aitken found himself called upon to defend. Within a couple of minutes Cumbers goaled. Soon afterwards Summerton replied. Until the end of the term both teams scored goal for goal. Sheedy making a clever run just before the bell to score a goal which kept East Fremantle within one point of its opponent’s score.

First quarter scores:

Swan Districts 4.3 (27 points): East Fremantle 4.2 ( 26 points)

That Swan Districts should have done better when kicking to the east was shown by the use East Fremantle made of the breeze in the second term. Playing clever concerted football it added 7.6 to 1 goal. This burst gave East Fremantle a firm grip on the game. At this stage Swans was not playing as if such a large deficit would be within its compass in the second half against such a strong team.

Half time scores:

East Fremantle 11.8 (76): Swan Districts 5.3 ( 33)

East Fremantle continued to dominate the game on the resumption and gave a clever display in the forward area. Sheedy, following and forward, and Conway, repeatedly put the side into attack. With the tall Ralph, centre-forward and Hinkley and Jarvis, half-forwards, playing cleverly, five goals were added against the wind while only one point was scored. Bowen transferred from centre to the forward lines but Swan Districts was held down to 2.6 for the term. Considering the lack of opportunities Summerton did well in front of goals for Swans.

Third quarter scores:

East Fremantle  16.9 (105); Swan Districts 7.9 (51)

With a lead of nine goals and the wind advantage, East Fremantle, even if not intentionally, played leisurely in the last quarter and its kicking deteriorated. In its usual style Swan Districts began to play strongly in the last quarter and some of its best flashes of football were unfolded while 4.2 was added to its somewhat meagre score. The gap in the scores however always appeared too great for Swans to bridge and a somewhat disappointing game ended with East Fremantle 40 point in the lead.

Final scores:

East Fremantle 17.15 (117); Swan Districts 11.11 (77)

Goalkickers:—

East Fremantle; Ralph 4, Cumbers, Sheedy, Hinkley, Murray, Conway 2 each; Jarvis, Cole and Bathurst 1.

Swan Districts; Summerton 4, Porter, Radiach, Ritchie 2 each and R. Latham 1.

Best Players:--

East Fremantle; Sheedy, Conway, Bourke, Mason, Jarvis, Murray, Cole and Gabrielson.

Swan Districts; Summerton, Bowen, Porter, Radiach, Aitken, Ritchie and Padbury.

Umpire: L. Mosey.