Sharks roll Royals

After a narrow Derby loss, Sunday’s fixture against East Perth, who had won their previous 3 games, loomed as a very important game for the Sharks.  After the opening 20 minutes it didn’t look good for our boys as East Perth came out and kicked the opening four goals of the game and appeared capable of blowing it away early on leading by as much as 26 points. But the Sharks steadied with the last two goals before quarter-time courtesy of George Hampson and Cameron Eardley, both who had started the game well.

Match Photos Part 1

Match Photos Part 2

East Fremantle then dominated the second term, through fierce pressure and slick ball movement and with goals to Jamie McNamara, Brett Peake, Liam Anthony (2) and Mitch Boyle, along with keeping the Royals goalless our boys held a handy 22-point lead into half-time.

The Royals were able to break their goal drought nine minutes into the third quarter and when Fraser McInnes goaled to get the Royals back within 10 points it looked like game on again for the Sharks, before we steadied through Dion Anthony.  Craig Wulff's second kept East Perth in touch but East Fremantle had all the answers. Late goals before three quarter-time from Brandon Ellis and Matthew Watson made the 21 point buffer a little more palatable.

When Hampson's second to start the fourth term saw the Sharks open a 28-point advantage it looked as though the boys could hang on. East Perth's lone final quarter goal came from wingman Steven Payne but East Fremantle got the last two of the game from McNamara and Hampson to record a great win 13.15 (93) to 8.8 (56)

East Fremantle's midfield was led by Cameron Eardley who delivered a best on ground performance with 34 possessions, 11 marks, six tackles, six inside-50 entries and a goal.  George Hampson wasn’t far behind in best on ground honours ending up with 26 disposals, eight marks and three goals.  Liam Anthony had another strong performance with 23 touches and two goals while Jesse Crichton racked up 21 disposals and seven tackles.  Andrew Stephen was rock solid in defence, with Brock O’Brien hard as always and he with Ryan Lester-Smith provided excellent run and delivery off half back.  James Bristow did well in the ruck with 18 possessions and 13 hit outs opposed to Paul Johnson and Jonathan Giles in a virtual lone hand performance.

East Perth 8.8 (57)

East Fremantle 13.15 (87)

GOALS: 3 G.Hampson, 2 L.Anthony, J.Mcnamara, 1 D.Anthony, B.Ellis, B.Peake, C.Eardley, M.Boyle, M.Watson
BEST: C.Eardley, G.Hampson, L.Anthony, J.Bristow

The Colts match began the day, prior to the league contest, with East Perth defeating East Fremantle 13.10 (88) to 9.7 (61).  After an even first half, the Royal were able to take full advantage in the third quarter, kicking 6 goals to 2 on the back of poor skill execution from our boys.  The Sharks finished the day with more inside 50’s and won the stoppages, however those turnovers cost the boys dearly.

Colts Photos

Corey Homes kicked three goals for East Fremantle, Luke Strnadica two and Drew Blurton two.  Burton was outstanding for the Sharks, gathering 28 disposals and 8 clearances, whilst other major ball winners for the Sharks included Dean Barone 18, Corey Holmes 17, James Valentine 16 and Peter Delaney 16.  Lachlan Kleppe continues to take strides forward, in having 31 hit outs and 10 disposals.

East Perth 13.10 (87)

East Fremantle 9.7 (63)

GOALS: 3 C.Holmes, 2 L.Strnadica, D.Blurton, 1 N.Bonomelli, M.Burton
BEST: M.Burton, C.Holmes, L.Strnadica, J.Valentine

The day finished at Medibank Stadium with the Development League doing battle against the ladder leaders in East Perth, who after a tight first half prevailed 18.9 (117) to 8.8 (56) over East Fremantle.

Development League Photos

Like the Colts the story of the day was poor decision making and execution, with East Fremantle kicking at 51% efficiency, allowing East Perth to take full toll on the scoreboard from our turnovers.  The game was still in the balance however at ¾ time, with East Fremantle trailing by three goals but a surge by East Perth in the final stanza, which saw them kick 8 goals to 1, put the result well beyond doubt. 

Jacob Green and Fraser Perry kicked two goals apiece for the Sharks while Jake Schleicher piled up 36 possessions and 10 clearances, Jayden Schofield 31, Julian Locantro 27, Jesse Adamini 23, Tom Bennett 21 and Matthew Bannister 20.

East Perth 18.9 (117)

East Fremantle 8.8 (57)

GOALS: 2 F.Perry, J.Green, 1 L.Cronan, A.Holmes, B.Barone, J.Schleicher
BEST: C.Crisafio, J.Adamini, J.Schleicher, D.King

The Sharks return to Medibank Stadium this Saturday to take on top of the table Subiaco.