R9 WAFL Wrap Up with Jacob Landsmeer - Thanks to The Left Bank

East Fremantle has slumped to a second straight defeat, suffering a 38 point loss to East Perth at Leederville on Sunday. 

The Sharks were within 8 points in the final term before the home team slammed on the final five goals of the contest, winning 16.12 (108) to 11.4 (70). 

Bill Monaghan’s side was hit hard by injuries during the match, losing reigning best and fairest Milan Murdock to concussion in the opening quarter while Corey Holmes was also ruled out before half time with a leg injury, leaving the visitors severely undermanned in the second half. 

The crunch match between 5th and 4th on the table started under cloudy skies, Dillon O’Reilly kicking a brace of majors inside five minutes as East Perth suffered an early blow, ruckman Scott Jones suffering a knee injury at the opening bounce and ruled out of the match. 

Milan Murdock left the game also before the first change, copping a crude elbow in a marking contest that saw the diminutive midfielder ruled out with a concussion 15 minutes in to the first term. 

Cody Leggett hit the scoreboard to level the scores late in the quarter after the Royals kicked three goals in a row to edge ahead, East Perth two points up at quarter time. 

The Sharks casualty ward grew in the second term, Corey Holmes suffering a leg injury while Matthew Burton suffered a blow to the throat in a behind the ball incident likely to attract attention from the MRP, able to return after medical attention. 

The Royals midfield was well on top but the Sharks were digging their heels in, taking their chances with three straight majors in the second stanza as Hugh Dixon, Tom Joyce and Harry Marsh fought on in midfield. 

Jono Marsh kicked a major to impact the contest, Alex Montauban and Leggett also with goals as only a point separated the sides at the half, East Perth in front. 

The game went up a year in the third term as the Royals pushed out to a three goal lead, Dillon O’Reilly and Brayden Lawler responding for the Sharks as the teams traded goals and momentum. 

It seemed like the Royals had all the answers when Bonomelli and Hamish Brayshaw hit the scoreboard with set shot majors, only for O’Reilly to convert his fourth goal after a fourth goal just moments before three quarter time, setting up a big final term. 

Josh Schoenfeld kicked a running goal to bring the margin in to single figures, Harry Marsh’s clearance work telling as the game looked set for a thrilling conclusion.

Angus Scott made the most of a free kick for East Perth but Alex Montauban had the quick reply, before the Royals got rolling late, their efficient ball use proving too much for a wounded Sharks side who succumbed with the last five goals going the home side’s way.

It meant a second straight defeat for Monaghan’s side, now licking their wounds in preparation for Swan Districts at the WACA next Saturday. 

Cameron Eardley (30 disposals) showed typical grit and determination down back while Tom Joyce tried hard to cover Murdock’s absence with 28 disposals in a tiresome midfield effort. 

Hugh Dixon (17 disposals and 30 hitouts) had a good battle with Corey Watts, while O’Reilly was the standout forward in the match with four goals.

The Swans clash looms as a crucial one for the Sharks season, now sitting in sixth spot but a chance to return to the top five with a victory over the boys from Bassendean.