Round 11 | Match Report

The East Fremantle Sharks have returned to the winner list with an emphatic 26-point win over the Perth Demons at Mineral Resources Park, with the Sharks victorious 12.9 (81) to 8.7 (55)

It was arguably the Sharks best win of the season and one that keeps them within touching distance of the top five.

East Fremantle were able to amend the slow starts that have hindered them so far this season, kicking three goals to one in the first term and setting up a 14-point margin at quarter time.

The Sharks were able to extend their lead every term apart from the second term, where both sides each kicked three goals and two behinds.

It was a performance that Head Coach Bill Monaghan, who signed a contract extension during the week, would have been extremely impressed with.

The Sharks led disposals 342-307, hit-outs 50-33, scoring shots 21-15, tackles 72-68 and inside 50’s 49-44.

Jonathon Marsh was named PetraClean Player of the Day for his terrific 24 disposal, nine mark and five goal game. It was Marsh’s second five-goal haul for the season having kicked seven goals against next week’s opponents, the West Coast Eagles, in their round six fixture.   

Kyle Baskerville played an equal-career best game against the Demons, recording 28 disposals, eight marks and four tackles while debutant Cody Smith (13 disposals) did not look out of place and kicked an important final term goal to give the Sharks a 21-point lead with 10 minutes to go. 

Jarrad Jansen continued his good form in the absence of the in-form Cameron Eardley, tallying 27 disposals, six tackles and five inside-50 kicks over the course of the match. Captain Matthew Jupp was also at his consistent best as the Sharks backline restricted Perth to just eight goals – an impressive feat considering the Demons had 44 inside 50’s.

Morgan Davies continued his purple patch since returning to the side, recording 10 tackles after having seven last week to go with his 20 disposals. Luke English also continued to show why the Sharks were eager to recruit the midfielder to the club at the beginning of the year, finishing with 20 disposals and seven tackles.

Luke Strnadica, arguably the form ruckman of the competition, played his best game of the season as his two first half goals helped cover for the loss of tall forwards O’Reilly and Dixon. The ruckman also recorded 20 disposals and 37 hit-outs, a statistic which he leads the WAFL for with 324 (hit-outs) in 9 games. No other ruckman in the competition has as many goals (7) as Strnadica, showing his value in the forward line as well as the middle of the ground.

East Fremantle will return home to New Choice Homes park this weekend to take on the West Coast Eagles Reserves, who are coming off their first win of the season and will be full of confidence. Bill Monaghan’s side, currently sitting a game outside the top 5, will be looking to record their second win against the West Coast Eagles and finish the round in the top 5.

Goals:  5 - J Marsh 2 - L Strnadica 1 - B Boekhorst, M Burton, J Jansen, T Bockman, C Smith

Best:    J Jansen, K Baskerville, L Strnadica, M Davies, M Jupp, J Marsh