R4 WAFL Preview

LEAGUE:

East Fremantle run out on their home ground for 2023, the WACA, for the first time for the season when they take on Perth on Saturday. It’s the first time back at the iconic ground since Round 20 last year.

The Sharks are coming off back to back wins against Swan Districts and the West Coast Eagles and will be looking to continue building their form. Perth have been competitive for long stages of their games and contain a number of highly rated players that can be damaging if allow to play on their terms. 

The Sharks will be looking for big performances from State squad members Matthew Jupp, the returning Cam Eardley, Milan Murdock, Kyle Baskerville and Jonathon Marsh.

The Sharks forward group are starting to gel having not played a lot of football together. New additions in that part of the ground include Hugh Dixon, Brayden Lawler and Austin Ball while Dillon O’Reilly and the suspended Cody Leggett returning from long term injuries. O’Reilly is really starting to hit his straps- taking 6 inside 50 marks last week and getting better with every performance. 

Through the midfield, Tom Joyce, Milan Murdock, Kyle Baskerville and Harry Marsh continue to find plenty of the ball while Josh Schoenfeld was particularly damaging last week with 3 goals off the wing. Fraser Turner, while a little quiet last week, has been a handy addition and Luke English also spent most of the game against West Coast on a wing. 

Down back, Eardley returns and the addition of Tom Bennett last week provided dividends as the team looks to replace the rebound of Michael Tassone. Jarrad Jansen has also slotted in well down back and will likely get a big match up against Perth. 

The League game kicks off earlier at 11.40 am. 

RESERVES:

The Sharks Reserves side will be looking to bounce back after the disappointing loss to Swans a fortnight ago.

Returning to the side are Ben McGuire, Enrique Aiken-Featherstone, Eddie Simpson, Campbell Tirant and Corey Holmes. Holmes and Aiken-Featherstone suit up for their first game in the 2023 season and will be looking to build a body of form to push for League selection.

The game kicks off at 2.30pm. 

COLTS:

The Colts take on Perth in a 2nd v 3rd clash at twilight, bounce down at 5.15pm.

Both teams are undefeated and looking to extend their winning streaks.

The Sharks will be without a handful of PSA players and will be looking to the likes of James Spadanuda, Zac Petersen, Sam Otto, Chadd Dunscombe and forward duo Griffin Vladich and Dante Wiseman to continue their goal kicking form.