Sharks downed in Joondalup

East Fremantle fell to their third consecutive loss with a 70 point defeat to West Perth in perfect conditions on Saturday at HBF Arena.

Both East Fremantle and West Perth were looking to bounce back from disappointing losses in Round 14, but only West Perth could find their form in a convincing 17.20.122 to 7.10.52 win.

The result put a dampener on the day after the Colts and Development League flew the blue & white flag with convincing wins.

The League side welcomed back Cam Eardley, Liam Anthony and George Hampson from injury, and appeared to be getting back its best form after taking the lead through Watson.

But some sloppy ball skills early became a worrying trend, and the Sharks often struggled to move the ball outside West Perth’s forward fifty as the Falcons peppered the goals with little result.

West Perth’s 4.13 total into half time kept East Fremantle in the hunt after a late Cam Eardly goal landed a much needed blow to get East Fremantle within 14 points into he main break.

But the Falcons came out of the changerooms cured of their accuracy woes, keeping the Sharks goalless in the third term while adding five goals and just one behind.

Brock O’Brien spearheaded a Sharks counter attack with two goals early in the fourth, but it only spurred West Perth on as they reeled off seven majors during a relentless 15 minute period late in the final term.

A Matthew Jupp goal just before the siren added the Sharks fourth for the quarter, but it was nothing but West Perth’s day -- paying tribute to their 1941 premiership side in replica vintage jumpers from the era.

East Fremantle head into the bye clinging on to fourth place. Peel remain just a few percentage points back with a game in hand while East Perth sit a game outside the top five after upsetting South Fremantle.

Both Colts and Development League bounced back to form with comprehensive wins on Saturday.

Colts

Boasting arguably the least experienced and youngest Colts side of the past couple of years, the boys overcame a sluggish start to run over the top of West Perth and keep themselves well and truly in the hunt for a finals spot over the last 6 rounds of the season.

Matthew Burton continued his great form collecting 23 disposals, 7 tackles, 6 inside 50’s, 9 clearances and 4 goals in a best on ground performance.  Ben Harding played his best game for the Sharks collecting 27 possessions, while Jayden Quill was the other major ball winner with 20.  Up forward recalled small forward Jackson Bennett was lively, not only applying good pressure, but kicked 3.2 from his 16 disposals along with 8 inside 50’s.   Down back, Lachlan Bailey was excellent, rolling off his opponent to impact contests, but also using his run to create off half back.  In other encouraging signs, Alex Montauban is returning to form after his injury layoff whilst the two debutants in Elsbury (2.3) and McMurray look like players of the future.

Overall though the victory was a result of good team footy.  The boys will no doubt enjoy a week’s break before having a crack at that finals tilt over the final few weeks of the season.

East Fremantle                14.17 = 101       def.                     West Perth        9.7 = 61

Development League

The Development League also started their game slowly, with both sides guilty of poor disposal and decision making and with two players down in the first quarter with injury (Ellis – knee & Fletcher – finger) it looked as though it might be a tough day at the office for the Sharks.

However the boys really started to kick in to gear from the early in the second term, with the likes of Jacob Green, Ollie Parish and Lewis Krakouer dangerous up forward and with the Sharks kicking 6 goals in that second term the boys headed in to the half time break with a comfortable 28 point lead.

The early part of the third was a bit of an arm wrestle, but with Bennett and co repelling form defence and Regan, Schleicher and Adamini winning the ball through the midfield the boys again took control of the match, further extending their lead by kicking 5 goals to 3 in the third quarter. 

The final quarter was all East Fremantle, with the boys piling on 9 goals to record an emphatic 88 point victory. 

East Fremantle                21.7 = 133          def.                     West Perth        6.9 = 45