Weekend wrap up

The East Fremantle Sharks could not match a clinical Claremont Tigers at ATOM Stadium on Saturday, falling by 39 points for their second loss of the season. (full match report) 

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Earlier games were split 1 apiece with the Tigers winning the Colts and the Sharks victorious in the Development League.

Colts

The Colts got off to a slow start and had it not been for inaccuracy during the first quarter Claremont could have been far further in front.  To the Sharks credit they settled and took the game right up to the 2015 reigning champions, clawing their way back to within a kick before the Tigers kicked the final two goals of the second quarter.

After an early opportunity in the third quarter was squandered the key players from the Tigers took control of the match through the midfield which gave their forwards plenty of chances to capitalise. Claremont kicked five goals to two for the third quarter and from there it was catch up for the Sharks boys. 

To our boys credit we fought out the final quarter, winning the quarter by 5 points.  In a low possession game of football Corey Holmes led all possession getters for the Sharks with 18.  Lachlan Kleppe continued his recent good form, competing really well against a much bigger opponent, gathering 12 disposals, 17 hit outs and 5 inside 50’s.  Matthew Burton tried hard all day through the midfield, as did  Dylan Campbell, who also kicked two goals.  Jamie Meade was resolute in defence, quelling the impact of one of the competitions best players.

East Fremantle  9.7.61     def. by  Claremont 13.14.92

Development League

The Development League boys were keen to continue on their winning way after two consecutive wins, as they faced a Claremont side who themselves had won their past two.

In an entertaining first quarter where both sides traded goals, it was the Sharks who turned in to the first break with their noses in front, leading by a goal.

With Jack Fletcher dominating the hit outs, feeding to the mids, who were winning the stoppages, allowing our forwards opportunity with more inside 50’s the second quarter proved pivotal in the contest with East Fremantle kicking 4 goals to 2, to open up a handy 21 point lead going in to the main break.

Inaccurate kicking in the final half cost the Sharks the chance to seal the game, kicking 3.11 and with Claremont kicking the final 4 goals of the match the scoreboard showed our boys getting the win by just the 9 points, but a win all the same.

Jesse Adamini put his hand up for League selection once again, collecting a game high 28 possessions and 6 marks, but also winning a number of important clearances.  He was well fed by the rucks in Fletcher (32 hit outs) and Solomon (12) as the Sharks won the hit outs 46 to 28.  Jack Bridgland played his best game for the club, collecting 21 possessions, likewise Tom Bennett, who showed some really pleasing signs after an interrupted preseason with injury.  Jacob Green ran hard all day collecting 21 also and kicking a goal,  Brandon Ellis continues to build pressure on the League forwards, kicking 4 goals and taking 6 strong marks.

Down back Josh Cuneo continued his run of good form and will be close to playing his first League game for 2016 season.

East Fremantle  11.16.82 def  Claremont  11.7.73

16s Dulux Development Squad

On Friday 15^th April the 16s Dulux Development Squad had their final fixture against Claremont at ATOM Stadium. Both sides had players out due to the All-Stars game which was held on Sunday 17^th April. The Sharks had Nic Watson, Ben Elsbury, Dillion O’Reilly, Andrew Trefry, Tom Joyce and Max Murphy playing in the All-Stars.

The Sharks started the game well, kicking 5 goals to Claremont's 1 goal in the first quarter. The lead would have been even greater if not for some missed opportunities in front of the big sticks in which we scored 4 behinds for the quarter.

The second half was much the same with the Sharks being wayward at goal, but the boys' intensity to get the ball kept the pressure on. Connor Douglas and Malwal Maguang were excellent in the forward line with excellent passages of play. Nelson Aranda and Milan Murdoch worked tirelessly in the middle.

The Sharks had 8 goal scorers for the game and Brayden Forrest and Felix Shackleton were brilliant at half back.

We finished the day defeating Claremont by 61 points.

East Fremantle 14.18.102

Claremont 6.5.41

Best: Nelson Aranda, Brayden Forrest and Felix Shackleton

Goals: Connor Douglas 4, Malwal Muang 3, Blake Price 2, Ben Fraser 1, Felix Shackleton 1, Conor Bowler 1, Oliver Bodlovich 1, Kaine Burgess 1.

A note from Andrew Dodd, Talent Manager

I would like to thank all of the coaches (Jeremy Bruse, Austin Ward, Daren Bell and Mark Kerspien), staff and parents for everything they have done to make the 16s progam enjoyable and successful. Also a thank you to Tony Watson, Glen Hunter, Doug Armstrong, Sam Whitaker and the trainers on Match day.

A special thank you to Team Manager Daniel Richards for his tireless work with the program. Daniel does a tremendous amount of work for everyone involved and is a key member of the team.