Sharks fly behind McNamara and O'Brien

The East Fremantle Sharks soared early and cruised home in their 39 point victory over the Perth Demons today at ATOM Stadium.

The Sharks literally flew out of the blocks when Jack Perham set Jamie McNamara up for a spectacular screamer inside fifty. McNamara stayed composed to slot the goal home and put the home side up by 12 early.

Jamie's Mark Photo Gallery

Six goals in each of the opening two quarters saw East Fremantle lead by 42 at half time, and they kicked the first of the third term to see that lead stretch to 49.

To Perth’s credit they were able to regroup and hold East Fremantle at bay for most of the second half, limiting the Sharks to just four majors after half time -- although the Demons were only marginally better with five in the same period.

While McNamara’s hanger and five goals will dominated the highlight reel in his return to the side, it was Brock O’Brien who helped keep the Demons forwards quiet with an incredible 21 marks to go with his 39 possessions.

Match Photo Gallery

O’Brien also helped keep the score ticking over with his rebound and run off half-back, but the damage this caused was limited later in the game -- especially after the Sharks lost a rotation with Cam Eardley left on the sidelines after sustaining an injury.

With today’s victory, the Sharks extended their winning run to three, and coach Rob Wiley was happy to bank the four points despite seeing some areas for improvement for the side.

“It’s been a really good three week period for us, and it was good to back it up with Perth,” said Wiley.

“Although I didn’t think that we played our best footy today, but I suppose that’s a positive as we can still grind away a win. We would take four points any day and move on, and I think the boys worked pretty hard and at the moment there’s a good belief in the group, but we do have to still get better in the way we go about our footy.”

Wiley paid tribute to East Fremantle’s reigning Lynn Medallist in Brock O’Brien, calling his performance “outstanding” -- but he was also drawn to comment on Jamie McNamara’s mark in an exciting return to the side.

“I definitely saw [the mark] -- he certainly showed everyone, as there was a fair bit of hangtime!” said Wiley.

“That was great for us as it got us off to a good start, and it’s always good when your captain can do that, but it’s not going to happen each week.”

The coaches for both sides provided an interesting side-story to today’s match, with 1998 East Fremantle premiership player Earl Spalding leading Perth against Wiley who is a two-time Perth premiership player and an eight time best and fairest winner for the Demons.

“Perth’s very close to my heart and you can’t take away the great memories I had there,” said Wiley of today’s opponent.

“But today they were another side in the WAFL that we have to beat and it was just about winning the game and trying to do the best that you can.”

WIth their win, East Fremantle moved a game clear in third place, but remain eight points behind South Fremantle and Subiaco who both recorded comfortable victories today.

A 14.12.96 to 11.2.68 scoreline got East Fremantle's Development League side back to their winning ways after a three game losing streak. The Sharks started strongly with a six goal to two opening quarter, and the two sides went toe to toe for the rest of the contest as East Fremantle prevailed by 28 points.

Development League Photo Gallery

Perry and Green led he goalkicking with three majors each while Jake Schleicher and Thomas Hooker led the way with 27 and 25 disposals respectively.

In the RediMED Colts, the Sharks fell 13.13.91 to 9.4.58 after the Demons surged to record a comeback victory.

East Fremantle led by 9 at quarter time and 6 at half time, but the Demons kicked nine goals to the Sharks' three in the second half.

Dillon O'Reilly (3) and Matthew Burton (2) were the Sharks only multiple goalkickers while Corey Holmes notched up 24 touches.