Round 6 Preview | West Perth

Refreshed from the bye, East Fremantle travel to Provident Financial Oval this Saturday to take on West Perth.

The bye came at a good time for Kyle Baskerville and Kody Manning, who after missing the last three rounds, return to the side. Baskerville, our 2019 Best First Year player, will have his work cut out trying to stem the influence of the dangerous West Perth small forwards. While Manning, returning to his old stomping ground, will add some bite to the Sharks attack. Nic Bonomelli also returns to the side after some promising form in the Reserves.

We might have seen the last of Alex Montauban and Luke Strnadica this season, both sustaining injuries in Round 4 that a could side-line them for the rest of the year.

Zach Jackson, Reuben McGuire and Brandon Walker have been added to the extended squad. If selected Reuben and Brandon will make their league debuts for the Sharks. A Willetton Junior, McGuire played in the State 18’s carnival last year and has had a strong start to 2020 in the Reserves. He has mainly played in the backline but has the flexibility to play anywhere.

Seventeen-year-old Walker has been touted as a top draft prospect in 2020, averaging 18 disposals in just four games this year. A member of The Fremantle Next Generation Academy, Walker has thrived since his move from the wing to half-back in the Colts, using his pace and elite ball use to good effect.

Our Reserves will be looking to build on their win against Perth to keep their finals chances alive. Corey Robinson, Jamie Meade, Alex Bray and Brynn Teakle will be keen to perform well in their push to return to the Seniors.

It’s going to be a tough hitout in the Colts, with the West Perth side undefeated in 2020. If the Sharks are able to cause an upset, it would help keep their finals berth a reality.