Rd 8 - Match Preview with Taylor Cowper

It’s a top of the table game for the Sharks as they take on West Perth this weekend. The Falcons come into the game looking for their seventh win in a row and the Sharks will be looking to bounce back after a heartbreaking two point loss to South Fremantle in the WA Day Derby.

This weekend’s home game at the WACA, East Fremantle Football Club will host the Inaugural “Jayde Kinane Memorial Cup” against West Perth Football Club.

Both the Sharks and Falcons have a special connection to Jayde and her family with her stepfather Paul Sanzone being an assistant coach with East Fremantle and having coached at West Perth prior to that.  Unfortunately, Jayde passed away last year from Cystic Fibrosis. 

Both teams played on the WA Day Public holiday and this is shaping up to be a hard fought game between both sides. A win in this game for the Sharks means they will share top spot with West Perth with only percentage between them.

Head Coach Bill Monaghan said he is looking forward to playing in a top of the table clash, “It’s very exciting for the club. It has been a while since East Fremantle have played in a top of the table clash. All the players are looking forward to it. We were disappointed with last week’s game against South Fremantle but if we bring our best there is no reason why we shouldn’t win”.

The Sharks welcome back to the side hard running midfielder Luke English and youngster Finn Gorringe. Gorringe has worked extremely hard in the reserves and comes into the side to replace Durak Tucker who is out of the game due to illness. “Finn is a wonderful competitor. He has toiled away in the twos”, said Monaghan. “He has been playing in the midfield with the reserves and that has been great for his development. We welcome him back to the side and he will play in our back 7 this weekend.”

One exciting match up will be in the defensive 50 for the Sharks. State team mates Tyler Keitel and Sharks Captain Matthew Jupp line up for the first time in season 2022 in what will be a pivotal match up. “Tyler is probably the best forward in the competition at the moment. He and Juppy have had some great battles and will be pivotal in this game. Matthew is looking forward to it and I am sure West Perth are as well”.

The Sharks play West Perth Saturday the 11^th of June at the WACA ground at 2.10pm. You can watch the game live through the AFL app or through AFL.com.au