R18 WAFL Wrap Up with Jacob Landsmeer - Thanks to The Left bank

East Fremantle has further stamped their 2023 premiership credentials, defeating East Perth by 14 points at the WACA on Saturday.  

In a battle between first and second spot heading in to round 18, it was the Sharks who firmed for not only the double chance, but the much-coveted top spot which could pave the way for a first Grand Final appearance since 2012.  

The match had all the hallmarks of a final, from sublime ball movement to physical skirmishes and great tackling pressure from both teams, the Sharks able to keep the Royals at arm’s length for most of the match to win 15.6 (96) to 12.10 (82) in what was the club’s final home match at the WACA.  

The match loomed as a potential Grand Final preview, East Fremantle having won their past six matches and East Perth having won eight games in a row before their round 16 loss to Subiaco, their most recent clash.  

The game got off to a fast start, Harry Marsh kicking the games opening goal inside two minutes having also won the initial centre clearance.  

Mitch Crowden responded with a goal from a strong tackle, but the Sharks were having the better of the early exchanges, former Royal Ben McGuire slotting a goal on the run and setting up another for Brayden Lawler, giving the blue and whites three majors against the breeze in the opening seven minutes.  

The Royals hit back with majors to Mitch Schofield and Michael Randall in what was an exhilarating contest, the goals drying up in the second half of the quarter with the Royals leading by four points at quarter time.  

Hugh Dixon produced a pair of majors in the opening five minutes of the second term as the Sharks began to gain control, Reuben McGuire’s athleticism in the ruck giving his midfielders first use.  

Tempers began to flare between Cody Leggett and opponent Nick Robertson, the pair both raising the ire of the umpires in what was becoming an absorbing contest.  

The teams would share 11 goals between them in the quarter, East Fremantle having the better of the term with seven goals to four, Luke English’s running right foot banana goal among the highlights.  

Harry Marsh and Dixon were having a telling impact for the Sharks, sharing four first half goals between them as well as 30 disposals, Bill Monaghan’s side able to find an answer every time East Perth had periods of momentum to lead by 17 points at the half.  

Leggett broke free of Robertson to kick the first goal of the second half, Randall again with the answering goal for East Perth before successive majors to Tom Joyce and Dixon pushed the margin out to a game high 31 points, the Sharks seemingly in control.  

Sticking with the theme of the game the Royals roared back in to the contest, three successive majors reducing the deficit to just 11 points at the final change, East Fremantle losing key forward Dillon O’Reilly to a hamstring injury. 

With top spot on the line both teams were playing with a feverish intensity, Leggett slotting a brilliant boundary line goal before Harry Marsh again stood up when his side needed him, kicking a clutch set shot from 45 metres out that pushed the margin out to 22 points at the 13-minute mark.  

East Perth never gave up the ghost, but East Fremantle’s leaders again stood up, Cameron Eardley, Matthew Jupp, Kyle Baskerville, Jarrad Jansen and Marsh all influential in denying the Royals in the dying moments.  

Sam Van Diemen’s accurate snap at the 25 minute mark would come too late for the visitors, the siren sounding to mark a seventh win in succession for the Sharks, some revenge for the 38 point defeat to the Royals in round nine.  

Marsh was magnificent for East Fremantle, best afield with 29 disposals and 3 goals, Hugh Dixon producing another outstanding stats line with 24 disposals, 27 hitouts and three vital majors of his own to be the two standout contributors.  

Baskerville and Eardley (21 disposals) were terrific across half back, while Lennon Marlin shut down Liam Tedesco to keep him goalless in a terrific defensive performance.  

East Fremantle Football Operations Manager Brad Dodd hailed a great performance that puts the club in prime position for the minor premiership.  

“It was a great battle between two evenly matched teams,” Dodd said.

“East Perth are very hard to stop when the game is on their terms and we thought our midfield were fantastic in nullifying their impact.” 

Dodd also provided an update on spearhead O’Reilly’s hamstring injury.  

“Dillon felt his hamstring tighten at half time and we ended up taking him off as a precaution.

“We’ll see how he pulls up the next few days and hopefully it’s nothing serious.” 

The win solidifies East Fremantle’s spot on top of the ladder, now a game plus percentage clear in first position ahead of their round 19 clash with Perth at Lathlain Park.  

COLTS:

On Saturday morning, East Fremantle said farewell to their home for the last 2 seasons, as they came up against an East Perth side looking to stay alive in the finals hunt.

East Perth kicked the first goal of the game, scoring in the first 30 seconds. The Sharks in return replied with a surge of 5 goals with the wind as an aid, as they led by 21 points at quarter time.

The first goal of the second quarter looked to be an East Fremantle onslaught. Like in the first term, with the strong wind blowing towards the city end of the WACA. The Royals kicked 5 goals of their own to lead by 8 points at half time.

As the game evenly poised, it was a shootout in the third quarter with a total of 9 goals kicked. East Freo trimmed the margin to 5, but East Perth responded quickly to regain an 11-point lead. Momentum swung back in the Sharks favour, with Koen Sanchez and Sam Otto having a massive impact. A 16-point three quarter time lead favoured East Freo.

East Freo led by as much as 29-points midway through the last quarter, before 2 goals from the Royals reduced it as low 17-points.

East Fremantle claiming an 18 point victory 14.13.97 to East Perth’s 12.7.79, winning their 8^th game in a row.

With the challenge set for them, several Sharks players stepped up and excelled. Koen Sanchez, Chadd Dunscombe, Declan Pauline, and Luca Gangemi provided the Sharks with first use of the footy. Jack Eastaugh took 6 marks in the backline and Sam Otto was a main man up forward kicking 4 goals.

Congratulations to debutant Luke Carrello who was a late in for Mitch Zadow, who pulled out with illness.

East Freo take on first place Perth at Mineral resources park next Saturday.