Sharks prepared for Lions' response

The East Fremantle Sharks face a stern test this Sunday at ATOM Stadium, where the Subiaco Lions will look to avenge a heavy defeat from earlier in the season.

Since Subiaco’s Round 8 loss to East Fremantle, the Lions have seen their perfect 6-0 start turn into an 8-3 record by the mid-season bye. The Lions still sit in second place behind South Fremantle on percentage, but their mini-slump has in part led to an incredibly open competition with the entire top-5 within four points of each other.

Depending on results elsewhere, the Sharks could find themselves on top of the ladder with a repeat result -- or as low as fifth with a loss.

Sharks’ coach Rob Wiley is certainly enjoying the high stakes nature of every round, and is expecting everything from the group as a result.

“That’s the beauty of an even comp, it requires you to bring your A-game week in and week out,” said Wiley.

“First plays fourth and second plays third this week and that’s great for the competition and we’re looking forward to the challenge. Every game is important from now, and each week we’re going to have to be well prepared and ready, and this is especially so against Subiaco”

Wiley felt the break was well deserved as his Sharks won five of their last six matches heading into the bye. But Wiley is also wary of Subiaco’s tactical ability, especially with an extra week to do their homework for this all-important clash.

“It’s been a good week on the track, and it has needed to be as we’re playing the reigning premiers and we need to be able to play at our best to compete,” said Wiley.

“It’s going to be a really tough game. They would have obviously reviewed how they played against us and they’ll be making some adjustments and we’re expecting that. They’re the back-to-back premiers, they’re a class act and well coached so we need to be well prepared ourselves, and come out with the intensity that we had against South Fremantle.”

Unfortunately for the Sharks, the weeks’ rest did little to replenish their stocks, with Liam Anthony joining Cam Eardley and George Hampson on the sidelines.

Sharks Team List

The trio represent the Sharks three highest ball getters this season in terms of average disposals, making the task of restricting Subiaco’s powerful midfield all the more difficult.

Conversely, Subiaco have named five big ins after fielding just seven players from their 2015 premiership side against Peel Thunder in Round 12.

Brett Robinson, Lachlan Delahaunty, Ben Sokol, Jordan Lokyer and Wayde Twomey are all expected to start on the field as Subiaco hope to put their injury woes behind them.

Rob Wiley will look for repeat performances from Sam Read, who kept Sokol goalless in Round 8, and Jesse Crichton who will likely play tagger again after neutralising South Fremantle’s Ashton Hams in the derby a fortnight ago.

But Wiley was philosophical about the undermanned Sharks, highlighting that this year’s push is all about the team’s overall contribution rather than the names on the team sheet.

“Liam Anthony is another out as so we’ve obviously lost a bit, but we’re trying to create a team that understands the processes,” said Wiley.

“Whoever comes in will play their roles so it’s not all about personnel sometimes, it’s about the way we play our footy -- and that will hopefully give some guys another opportunity to come up and play league footy.”

Some potential ins include Josh Simpson, who kicked three goals last time around against Subiaco, as well as Jayden Schofield who was one of the Sharks’ best on ground in his last league appearance three weeks ago against Peel. Lewis Krakouer has been named on the extended bench and if selected will make his League debut. The Krakouer name is synonymous with WA Football; Lewis' uncle Billy was part of the Sharks 1992 Premiership side and his uncles Jimmy and Phil Krakouer played for Claremont and North Melbourne. 

The League game will bouncedown at 2:15pm on Sunday, preceded by the Development League at 11:30am and the Colts at 9am.

COLTS & DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE PREVIEW

Development League Team List

Colts Team List

With the bye providing the perfect opportunity for many of the younger players at the club to take a break and rest their bodies, the Colts and Development League boys will both be keen to bounce back after disappointing losses against South Fremantle. Both sides were within a kick of defeating Subiaco, with the Colts drawing and the Development League losing by just a goal.

The Colts need a win to keep in touch with the top five and could welcome back some key inclusions if they get through their respective fitness tests. Defenders Bailey and Eastaugh are possibly returning, while Montauban and Baskerville will look to have greater impact around the midfield after only recently returning from injury.  Combatting the talls of Subiaco will be the key, an area the Lions certainly took advantage of the last time the two sides met.

The Development League will be looking to produce a more consistent four quarter performance.  Recent games have seen the boys play a couple of really good quarters, but lapses have cost dearly.  Depending on the makeup and possible inclusions in the league side, the development league squad may be strengthened by the return of some league experienced players. No matter the ins this is a crucial match and a win, just like that of the colts, will have them around the top five.