ROUND 1 MATCH REPORT

East Fremantle have started the season in emphatic fashion, defeating a strong Peel Thunder side at David Grays Arena 15.16 (106) to 11.9 (74).

The 32-point win means that East Fremantle finish Round 1 on top of the ladder, a feat the club had not achieved since the 2009 season.

East Fremantle led by 20 points at quarter-time before four goals in seven minutes from the home side saw the Sharks give up their lead.

This momentum was immediately halted as Tim Bockman kicked his ninth career goal, giving the Sharks a two-point lead at half time, before East Fremantle registered the first six scoring shots in the third term putting the margin at nearly four goals.

Both sides went goal for goal in the final term and when Dillon O’Reilly kicked his career best third goal, East Fremantle led by 39 points with only six minutes left to play.

Coach Bill Monaghan would have been extremely impressed with the result with East Fremantle’s dominance on field well represented through their 31 to 19 scoring shots and 395 to 273 disposals.

New recruits Josh Schoenfeld, Luke English and Corey Chalmers were enormous in the Shark’s victory, combining for 93 disposals, 20 marks and eight inside 50’s.

Carrying on from a good 2020 season was Milan Murdock, whose career best game included 32 disposals, four tackles and 5 inside 50’s while Blaine Boekhorst showed his usual run and dash during his 26-disposal performance.

Luke Strnadica was impressive in absence of the retired Jonathan Griffin as he recorded a mammoth 43 hit-outs and first quarter goal.

Jonathon Marsh was impressive during his two-goal, 21 disposal performance while Tom Monaghan and Nick Kommer also kicked two goals apiece.

In defence, new Sharks captain Matthew Jupp was amongst the best players on ground while Jarrad Jansen recorded 17 disposals and 7 tackles.

Round 2 of the WAFL premiership season sees the Sharks take on the Subiaco Lions at New Choice Homes Park. Bill Monaghan’s side will be looking to put in another impressive performance in front of a home crowd and maintain its spot on the top of the ladder
 

Goals:   3 - O’Reilly 2 - Kommer, Marsh, Monaghan 1 - Chalmers, Eardley, Boekhorst, Strnadica, Lester-Smith, Bockman

Best:     Schoenfeld, Leggett, Jupp, Murdock, Marsh