RD1 WAFL Wrap Up with Jacob Landsmeer thanks to Sponsors The Left Bank

RD1 WAFL Wrap Up with Jacob Landsmeer thanks to Sponsors The Left Bank

East Fremantle’s 2023 season has begun with a narrow four point defeat at the hands of Peel Thunder at Lane Group Stadium on Friday.  

The Sharks led by as much as 27 points in the third quarter when Luke English (3 goals) snapped truly, only for a Peel side laced with AFL talent to run down a brave East Fremantle outfit, kicking four goals to none in the final term to win 11.13 (79) to 11.9 (75). 

The league side’s season began under grey skies at Lane Group Stadium in the annual Good Friday clash with Peel, several new faces suiting up for their first game in blue and white. 

Among them were former VFL and SANFL wingman Fraser Turner, while East Fremantle products Harrison Marsh and Tom Joyce returned to the club to strengthen the club’s midfield, Hugh Dixon a presence up forward after a season with West Coast. 

A strong breeze favoured the Northern end in the first term, Peel kicking with the advantage in the opening stanza. 

It didn’t deter Bill Monaghan’s men, who matched the home side’s tally of three majors for the term to only trail by 3 points at the first change. 

Luke English converted a strong mark for the first major, former Thunder premiership star Brayden Lawler kicking truly on the run in his first game for the club before Eddie Simpson slotted a set shot from a free kick just before the quarter time siren to keep his side in touch. 

With the aid of the breeze in the second term the Sharks slowly took control of the contest, Reuben McGuire’s athleticism a highlight in ruck contests and around the ground as he produced a superb opening half. 

Reigning Lynn Medallist Milan Murdock was in the thick of the action, while Marsh kicked his first goal in blue and white after snapping truly from a stoppage. 

Tom Bennett produced an early contender for goal of the year with a superb blind turn and spin through traffic, East Fremantle grabbing the lead with a largely dominant term. 

The intensity of the game went up a gear in the third, the Sharks getting the first through Simpson before Brady Grey responded for Peel. 

English had his second as the teams traded majors, Josh Corbett with a second himself but the Sharks still had control, Kyle Baskerville and Milan Murdock outstanding in the clinches. 

Tom Bennett had two for the game when the ball landed in his lap in the goal square, and when English had his third at the 28 minute mark the Sharks were looking hard to beat. 

A late Peel goal kept things interesting heading in to the last, the home side bursting out of the blocks in the final stanza with three goals inside eight minutes. 

The remainder of the term was an arm wrestle, Brody Wemm sneaking Peel in front from an advantage free kick. 

The Sharks attacked relentlessly in the final moments, neither side able to score a goal in the final 17 minutes of the match. 

Cameron Eardley marked 55 metres from goal with only seconds remaining, taking it upon himself to have the shot kicking with the aid of the breeze. 

He pushed his kick left striving for distance, the siren sounding upon the kick back in to play as Peel snatched a four point win. 

Murdock (29 disposals and 9 tackles) was outstanding in midfield, Baskerville (25 disposals) and McGuire (21 disposals and 17 hitouts) were also among the best. 

English kicked 3 goals to go with 17 touches in a fine display, Simpson and Bennett with two each. 

East Fremantle Football Operations Manager Brad Dodd said there was some positives to take out of the contest despite the defeat. 

“We put ourselves in a position to win and couldn’t quite hold on in the last,” Dodd said.

“In the second half we were a little ineffective going inside 50 and didn’t get value, in the end Peel took their chances late.”

“All the stats in the last quarter, we had the same amount of inside 50’s. We just couldn’t grab a mark inside 50 and they were more efficient than us.” 

Earlier in the day the Rogers Cup, Futures, Colts and Reserves all had victories, the Colts and reserves starting their seasons in impressive fashion. 

East Fremantle will look to bounce back in round two, heading to Bassendean Oval to face Swan Districts.

Images: Pixell Photography