Round 7 Match Report

After a couple of promising weeks on the track, it was a disappointing result for the Sharks going down to the Falcons by 88 points at HBF Arena on Saturday.

Both East Fremantle and West Perth were looking to bounce back from disappointing losses in Round 6, but it was West Perth who found their form in a convincing 24.15.158 to 10.10.70 win.

The result put a dampener on the day after our Colts’ team secured an electrifying win.

The League side welcomed back Cam Eardley, Mathew Jupp, Jonathon Griffin and Ryan Lester-Smith from injury, but it was the Falcons who hit the board early. Jack Perham goaled from a set shot and Jesse Wynne booted a fantastic banana but in a recent trend for the Sharks, it was West Perth who capitalised on their inside 50 opportunities.

The Sharks came out with a greater sense of urgency in the second term, with the returning Lester-Smith hitting the board. Sean Fletcher and George Hampson added to the tally before the home side blew out the score heading into the main break, kicking the last three goals of the quarter in a three-minute burst.

It was a slow third term for both teams, with poor kicking impacting the two sides. The Sharks could manage only a point for the quarter and were lucky West Perth missed shots in front of goal, kicking 2.7 during that period. 

The action kicked in for the final stanza, with 14 majors for the term.  While the Sharks impacted the scoreboard, kicking 5 goals, West Perth, on the back of a Strijk master-class, kicked 9 to cruise home.

East Fremantle now turn their attention to the struggling reigning premiers, with both sides desperate for a win this Saturday.

A slow start proved costly for the Development League, who missed opportunities early and despite a big second half couldn’t get over the line.  At times the Sharks looked in control of the game and were able to bridge the gap, however could bring the margin inside 4 goals and allowed some easy goals to the opponents at crucial stages.

Jamie McNamara was a shining light for the Development League in his return, finishing with 26 disposals and 3 goals. Zac McCarrey also finished with 3 majors while Dion Anthony collected 28 possessions, Tom Marshall 24, Joel Kalajzic and Russell Wynne 23.

The Colts flew the blue and white flag proudly, with a hard fought 3-point win over the home side. The Sharks got on the board early to lead by 2 goals at quarter time. The Falcons came out firing in the second and third terms, to take a 9-point lead into the final quarter.  It was a hot contest in the fourth, with the Sharks goaling in the opening minutes of the term. East Fremantle slotted two more to take a 9-point lead with less than 10 minutes remaining before the Falcons responded with two of their own late in the quarter, taking back a three-point lead. With just 90 seconds remaining, Josh Ritchie nailed a goal right on 50 metre line to snatch the lead. The last 30 seconds of the game were nail-biting as the ball went into the Falcons’ forward 50 but the siren sounded with our Colt’s ecstatic to get the 4 points.

Mitchell Anderson finished with 3 goals, Ethan Brown and Jai Jackson with two and Josh Ritchie, Michael Wright, Dylan Curley, Aaron Meadowcroft and Brynn Teakle one a piece.