R12 WAFL Wrap Up with Jacob Landsmeer - Thanks to The Left Bank

East Fremantle has strengthened both its percentage and position in the top five, thrashing the West Coast Eagles WAFL side by 184 points at the WACA on Saturday. 

The Sharks had 13 individual goalkickers in the 33.17 (215) to 4.7 (31) rout, forwards Cody Leggett (six goals) Dillon O’Reilly and Jonothon Marsh (both five goals) combining for 16 major’s between them in a dominant display. 

It always loomed as a tough assignment for the Eagles, who had just two AFL listed players against a vastly more experienced Sharks side fresh off their bye in round 11. 

Tom Bennett hit the scoreboard inside the first minute with a set shot from 40 metres, setting the tone for what was to be a lopsided contest. 

No less than 11 goals were scored by the blue and whites in the first quarter, all of the forwards with their lick of the ice cream as Cody Leggett, Dillon O’Reilly and Jono Marsh all hit the scoreboard. 

The defence was solid as a rock, restricting the Eagles to a solitary behind as the Sharks produced their fifth best opening quarter in club history, leading by 68 points at the first break. 

Without Hugh Dixon (illness) Reuben McGuire went solo in the ruck for the home side, having a good battle with Eagle Josh Edwards as the Sharks midfielders capitalised at stoppages. 

West Coast found a major in the second term but the goals continued to flow for the Sharks, another 7 majors for the quarter, pushing the lead in to triple figures by the time the teams headed for the changing rooms at the half.

With percentage looming as a crucial component in the race for finals spots there was little let up from Bill Monaghan’s side in the third term, slamming on another eight majors after West Coast kicked the first two goals of the quarter. 

Cameron Eardley and Matthew Jupp were supreme at thwarting any Eagles forward moves, while the midfield of Kyle Baskerville, Fraser Turner and Milan Murdock all found plenty of the ball.

While cricket season may have ended three months ago the fans still got to see a double century at the WACA in July, as East Fremantle achieved the rare feat of scoring 200 in a WAFL match, Luke English booting the historic major at the 12 minute mark of the last term. 

The margin was a whopping 184 points at the final siren, Leggett marking his 100th WAFL game with the final major of the demolition, his sixth of a profitable afternoon. 

Eardley finished with 36 disposals for the Sharks, Kyle Baskerville (31) and Turner (30) also found plenty of the ball while Jono Marsh and Dillon O’Reilly each finished with five goals. 

The percentage boost plus the four premiership points opens up a two game gap for East Fremantle inside the top five, ahead of a crunch game with West Perth at Arena Joondalup next Saturday. 

Football Operations Manager Brad Dodd acknowledged the ruthless nature of the side’s victory. 

“It was a game that we were expected to win but the attitude the players took into the first quarter set the game up,” Dodd said.

“It was pleasing that we were able to defend strongly across the whole ground and create turnovers through good pressure at the contest.

“We bank the 4 points and percentage and move forward quickly by preparing for a big game against the reigning premiers next Saturday.”