Derby heartbreak for Sharks

It was a game worthy of ANZAC weekend and of the rivalry between East and South Fremantle -- but the Sharks will be wondering what could have been after leading late as the Bulldogs ran home for a 7 point win at ATOM Stadium.

The Sharks were on the back foot for most of the intensely fought Derby, leading only for brief periods in the third quarter and also with minutes to go in the final term.The game opened with a 15 minute stalemate with both sides goalless until the Bulldogs kicked two to take the ascendency. East Fremantle weren’t without their chances despite failing to record a major in the opening term but the South’s relentless pressure down back gave Easts little breathing space.

The quarter time margin of 11 jumped to 17 thanks to a Mason Shaw goal in the opening minutes, but the Sharks rallied and created much more space up front to kick accurately with five straight goals for the quarter. Matthew Watson came into his own as the Sharks' big marking forward with two goals by half time, while Josh Simpson goaled from 25m after taking a screamer that will dominate Derby highlight reels for years to come.

The sides traded leads in the third until Souths kicked the final two of the term, but some Watson brilliance early in the fourth gave the Sharks hope -- goaling from a mark just inside 50 on the boundary and following up with another in the goal-square minutes later.

Souths would surge again with goals to Shane Hockey and Ben Saunders but the Sharks refused to lie down. Back to back goals from Brett Peake and a pressure set shot from Jack Perham saw Easts on the brink of an upset victory – leading by four with 28 minutes on the clock.

In the end, the day would belong to South Fremantle as Haiden Schloithe marked and goaled to give the Bulldogs the lead for good. George Hampson gave the Sharks hope at the dealth with a set shot that drifted right -- and Souths went end to end from the kick-in allowing Ryan Cook to put the final nail in the coffin with a goal on the siren.

Bagging five goals for the game, Matthew Watson was awarded the Wrightson Medal – the inagural East Fremantle club award for the best Sharks player on ground for the ANZAC Derby games. Despite Watson’s brilliance, it was likely to be a tough decision with Josh Simpson kicking two goals and racking up 25 disposals, and Jesse Crichton impressive with 27 touches.

After enduring the rollercoaster ride of his first Fremantle Derby, coach Rob Wiley allowed himself to find some positives post-game as his side slipped to a 2-3 record.

“It’s definitely a tough loss -- it’s the second one in five games where we’ve lost from being in front with 3 minutes to go,” said Wiley.

“But you can’t question their character and their courage, but we still made a few decisions that did not help us, so again we’ve got to lot at it and try to get better in that area.”

Wiley credited Watson’s best on ground performance, but stressed that his contribution didn't come in isolation.

“Watson’s played a few good games for us, but certainly today on the scoreboard he was really damaging and so that’s encouraging,” said Wiley.

“Jesse Crichton continues to play to a really good standard too as well and I thought Josh Simpson played what is likely his best game today.”

East Fremantle have now dropped out of the top five for the first time this season, with two of their three losses coming under 10 point margins. For Wiley, it’s nice to know his team has the potential to win any game providing it starts to bring results.

“In the end the games we win will tell us how good we’ve been -- we’ve been competitive, there’s no doubt about that, but as I said we need to win games to play in the finals, and that’s what we’re endeavouring to do.”

In the Development League the Sharks lost a similar heartbreaker to go 3-2 for the season, falling just two points short in their 10.15.75 to 11.7.73 loss. The Sharks trailed by 19 at three quarter time but kicked four goals to just one in the final quarter. Ricciardello was again on the scoresheet, sitting alongside Perry and Green with two goals apiece. Julian Locantro was a highlight in the midfield with 10 marks and a game leading 29 disposals.

For the REDiMED Colts East Fremantle lost a low scoring game, 9.11.65 to 6.8.44. Drew Blurton was the Sharks only multiple goalkicker with two majors while Corey Holmes has 21 touches.