Rd 14 League - The Left Bank Wrap Up with Taylor Cowper

East Fremantle went down to South Fremantle in a wet and windy encounter at the WACA ground on Saturday afternoon.

South Fremantle held the Sharks goalless in the first term to claim the victory 9.13 (67) to 5.4 (34).

Blaine Boekhosrt was a late out with hamstring soreness which was a blow for the Sharks already without key forward, Dillon O’Reilly and ruckman Jeremy Goddard.

League Coach Bill Monaghan said the poor start in Saturday’s game has unfortunately become normal in the Fremantle Derby. “We were poor early. It’s become a bit of a habit against South Fremantle,”

“There’s obviously some things we need to fix, most of them are probably around the mental side because generally speaking, our first quarters are positive.

“South were all over us (early), we were playing catch up for most of the day.”

The conditions at the WACA on Saturday were wet and windy and it proved hard at times for the Sharks to adjust to the conditions. “South were really good in the conditions and their leaders and good players stood up. That’s why they’ve been a good side for a long period of time and that’s something we’re trying to achieve”, said Monaghan.

“We’re the new kids on the block. We’ve come from a long way back. We haven’t played finals for a while. We were on the verge of finals last year without ever really threatening to play finals”.

When asked what he said to the players post match after such a pivotal loss Monaghan said that we need to learn to handle the scrutiny that comes with being a good side. “What I said to the players is ‘to be successful, you’re under scrutiny all the time’ and it’s new to us, big games - first versus third. They haven’t been in our kit bag for very long.”

“We just need to bounce back and make sure we’re at our best and compete from the first bounce.”

In positive news for the Sharks Kyle Baskerville returned after having COVID and contributed 29 disposals and 13 tackles and Milan Murdock contributed with 19 touches and a goal.

Alex Montauban was effective, kicking 3 of East Fremantle’s 5 goals from 4 disposals.

East Fremantle’s next home game is against the Perth Football Club this Saturday the 30^th of July at the WACA Ground.

SOUTH FREMANTLE 3.4, 6.6, 7.10, 9.13 (67)

EAST FREMANTLE 0.0, 2.1, 4.3, 5.4 (34)

Goals – EAST FREMANTLE: A Montauban 3 M Murdock E Simpson.

Best – EAST FREMANTLE: K Baskerville A Montauban M Murdock C Eardley M Tassone

Images: Phil Elliott