Early Season Wins Gives Sharks a Boost

The Sharks have had their first taste of success in 2018, overcoming a late surge by Perth to win by 7 points on Saturday.

East Fremantle took the early ascendency when youngster Ambrose Ryan kicked the first goal of the game which was backed up by the captain Jon Griffin. Perth responded by hitting the scoreboard, but before they could gain any momentum Dion Anthony nailed the third from a set shot. The Demons clawed their way in to the game with another two goals to level the scores, before George Hampson snapped and goaled to send the margin out to 6 points at quarter time.

The Sharks took control of the second term through the midfield with Cameron Eardley and Jarrad Jansen making their presence felt. Goal scoring was shared around with Jack Perham, Carl Green, Sean Henson and Alex Howson getting on the board, giving East Fremantle a 21-point lead at the main break. 

It looked like the Sharks were going to continue their second term form, with Ryan goaling early for the Sharks. To Perth’s credit they weren’t ready to give up, kicking three majors to narrow the margin. Howson came through with his second to push the score out to 8 points heading into the final stanza.

The fourth quarter was a nervous wait for both Sharks and Demons fans, with both sides working tirelessly, but neither taking ascendency on the scoreboard. Some ease came for Old Easts when Sean Fletcher slotted a running goal to give the Sharks some breathing space and Ryan followed suit for his third of the game. A determined Perth outfit refused to go away and kicked three on the trot to get within two points of the Sharks, but Fletcher came through for his second to seal the win for East Fremantle.

While goal-scorers were aplenty, the midfield were outstanding as Cameron Eardley (38), George Hampson (34), Sean Henson (31) and Jarrad Jansen (28) fed the action up forward.

Debutant Jordan Snadden was strong in his first league game for the Sharks, finishing with 21 disposals, 12 kicks and 6 marks.

The Sharks look to make it two in a row when they travel to Claremont this Saturday.