Wiley can't fault Sharks effort

Saturday afternoon’s five point win over the Claremont Tigers was a case of third time lucky in close games for Rob Wiley and his Sharks side.

After seeing the team drop matches to Peel and South Fremantle from a position of ascendency late in the game, the Sharks coach was pleased to see his chargers hold on as Claremont threatened to steal the points.

“We’ve been through it before when we were up and we let those game go. In many ways I think we’ve learnt from those two close losses and we were able to get across the line,” said Wiley.

“It was very pleasing and their effort all day was outstanding. We probably didn't get the reward and the results from our effort on the scoreboard but you can’t question their ability to play good hard footy.”

With 30 more inside fifties and ten more scoring shots, it’s easy to say that the Sharks were wasteful in their narrow win, but their relentless attack – particularly in the second term when Claremont had the gale-force wind to their backs – did enough to deny Claremont any chance to take charge in the game.

Wiley was willing to cut his forwards some slack for their inaccuracy in their 0.4 second term, seeing set shots inside fifty barley make half the distance let alone score -- while Claremont’s kick-ins with the wind were sailing easily into the square. One particular kick-in ended up out of bounds without being touched, resulting in a Sharks free-kick at half-back.

“It was really tough conditions and sometimes, it’s still poor football when you miss shots on goal and we’ve got to be better in that area,” said Wiley.

“But the pleasing thing is they gave it their all and as a coach when your team’s giving everything you can’t ask for more than that.”

“Brock O’Brien was just outstanding, as was Hampson for us on the wing and certainly Stevo [Andrew Stephen] out from the backline. We had plenty of contributors and that’s what you need to win games of footy.”

One of those contributors was 19-year-old Fraser Perry who was playing his first league game for the year. The Railways product picked up four marks and 12 disposals, featuring in two crucial moments in the second half.

Perry kicked the Sharks sixth and final goal of the match late in the third term, playing on after a flashy diving mark in forward pocket.

Then with seconds to go, Perry was in the right place at the right time to mark on the goal-line and prevent a certain game winning goal from Claremont.

“It was pretty important to do the simple things well and that’s what I tried to do, just stick with that and I knew the good things to come,” said Perry.

“When I took the mark I thought there was still about four or five minutes to go as the clock was at 26 minutes. Jesse [Crichton] ran up and told me there was a minute left, so I was going to hold onto it for as long as possible until I got the hurry up and kick it down the line, but fortunately the siren went.

“I guess [the mark] makes up for missing a shot at goal a bit earlier -- it was awesome as the boys dug pretty deep and made sure we got the win.”