R14 WAFL Wrap Up with Jacob Landsmeer - Thanks to The Left Bank

East Fremantle has pushed in to third spot on the WAFL ladder, defeating Peel Thunder by 19 points in a pulsating contest at Wonthella Oval in Geraldton on Sunday. 

In a game with numerous lead changes and brilliant passages of play from both sides, it was the Sharks who overpowered their opponents with a five goal to three second half, winning 13.6 (84) to 10.5 (65) to claim the Josh Kennedy Foundation Cup. 

East Fremantle once again honoured their mid-west region with a clash in Geraldton, having taken a match to Northampton in 2022. 

The match loomed as a crucial clash for both sides, East Fremantle a game behind their opponents and hoping to jump in to the top three with a victory. 

The Sharks lost leading goalkickers Dillon O’Reilly (hamstring tightness) and Cody Leggett (rested) heading in to the clash, while Peel had only nine AFL listed players due to injuries for Fremantle either side of their round 18 clash with Collingwood. 

In dry and warm conditions the match was played with a high intensity from the outset, Tom Emmett kicking the first goal of the day for the visitors before the Sharks responded with goals from brothers Harry and Jonathon Marsh. 

A sublime passage was completed with an Alex Montauban major to give the Sharks three majors in seven minutes, both teams playing direct football. 

Peel lifted to boot the last four goals of the quarter, both sides showcasing their skills in front of a healthy crowd. 

The momentum turned again in the second term the blue and whites way, Jackson McDonald and Harry Marsh crucial in midfield as Ben McGuire, Austin Ball and Fraser Turner all hit the scoreboard to push their side back in to the league. 

Brody Wemm broke the run of majors for Peel but Milan Murdock and Hugh Dixon pushed forward with devastating effect for East Fremantle, the sides defying the warm conditions with fast, free flowing footy on a large Wonthella Oval. 

The Sharks led by four points at the half but Ben Middleton returned the lead to the Thunder early in the third term, as they started to gain the ascendancy in midfield through ruckmen Liam Reidy and Riley Smith. 

Another fast break from defence set up Jack Cleaver for his first league goal, Jono Marsh busting a pack before handballing to the youngster who snapped truly from 30 metres. 

The teams were trading goals as Ethan Stanley’s snap was answered by a Jono Marsh long bomb, the Heat beginning to take its toll a both teams showed signs of fatigue. 

Chris Walker popped up with a strong mark and goal to give his team some breathing space, a 12 point lead at the final change to show for a game that had all the hallmarks of a final. 

Peel Thunder were beginning to tire in the last term as the quarter opened with ten scoreless minutes, the Sharks maintaining possession and field position without quite landing the knockout blow. 

Ben McGuire broke the scoring drought with a right foot snap from the pocket, time running out as Peel chased three unanswered goals. 

While Wemm pulled one goal back it was former Thunder premiership player Brayden Lawler who sealed the game against his former side, snapping the final goal of the game at the 23 minute mark to give East Fremantle a fourth straight win in season 2023. 

The win may yet come at a cost, with reigning Lynn Medal winner Milan Murdock unable to finish the match with an AC joint injury to his shoulder sustained in the final term. 

Sharks coach Bill Monaghan was pleased to overcome a quality top five opponent. 

“They’re a good side, both sides probably had a number of players out through injury,” he said.

“It was a test of both sides depth. On a big ground against a side with a number of AFL listed players, our ability to match them with our fitness and outrun them was pleasing.

“The last ten minutes we really controlled the ball with uncontested marks which was a mature effort from our guys. 

“There might have been a few skill errors but I thought it was a good performance all round.”

Harry Marsh was best afield with 32 disposals and a goal, ably supported by Fraser Turner (28 and 1.1) and Kyle Baskerville (27) who moved in to the midfield after half time having started at half back. 

East Fremantle has a bye in round 15, before facing rivals South Fremantle at Fremantle Oval in round 16 on July 29th. 

COLTS:

On Sunday morning at Revo Fitness stadium in Claremont, East Fremantle produced a powerful victory over reigning colts premiers Peel Thunder.

The Sharks looked to replicate the result from their previous clash in round 1 in Mandurah.

The first quarter was an arm wrestle with the scores levelled 14 points apiece at quarter time. In the second quarter, Peel dictated East Freo with their game style, however could not capitalise on the scoreboard. The Sharks in response wrestled back momentum, holding an 11 point margin at half time

The second half was where the game was won, as East Fremantle restricted the Thunder goalless in the 3^rd quarter, while kicking 4 goal themselves. The game opened in the last quarter, with Peel trying to reduce the margin to a respectable result. However, the Sharks still applied the intensity to blow out the margin as much as 56 points.

Final result was East Fremantle 15.8.98 to Peel 6.6.42.

It was the team’s 5^th consecutive win, as they look to further climb the up ladder and claim a double chance spot.

Jack Cocking had another bag of 4 goals with fellow forward Sam Otto kicking 3. Jack Eastaugh had another brilliant game in defence with 20 disposals and 6 marks. The midfield was well served with contributors Mitch Zadow, Declan Pauline and Ashton Warner.

Congratulations to Jye Sander who made his debut on Sunday.

East Fremantle have the week off, then it’s the 2^nd derby of the season at Fremantle community bank oval on July 29.