FW1 WAFL Wrap Up

Reserves:

The East Fremantle Reserves side have remained in finals contention with a hard fought 13 point win over Claremont in the Elimination Final on the weekend. After a poor showing last game against Subiaco, the Sharks came out breathing fire, opening up a 38 post lead with the aid of the breeze, kicking 7 goals to 1. Lead by small forward, Luke Yeo, who kicked 3 goals for the quarter, the Sharks swarmed all over the Tigers to dominate ground position. 

The tables turned in the 2nd quarter, with the Tigers kicking with the breeze. Claremont added 4 goals to 1 point despite the Sharks having plenty of opportunities to hit the scoreboard. Lachlan Blakiston was dominating in the ruck and midfielders Elijah Burrows, Matt Williamson and Corey Holmes were working hard to limit the damage. Down back, Max Murphy, Josh Ritchie, Enrique Aiken-Featherstone and Sam Collins were resolute. 

In the all important 3rd quarter it was Claremont who bucked the trend to outscore the Sharks by 4 goals to 2 into the wind to reduce the margin to 8 points at 3/4 time and head into the last quarter with all the momentum. But the Sharks again responded to have the better of the last quarter, not quite putting the game to bed by kicking a wasteful 2.5 to 2.0, but enough to run out 13 point winners. 

There were plenty of excellent performers for the Sharks with Blakiston the most influential, Elijah Burrows restricting Joel Western in the 2nd half whilst also having 16 disposals and kicking 2 goals. Other influential players included Corey Holmes, Ryan Lester-Smith and Matt Williamson through the middle, Max Murphy and Sam Collins down back and Luke Yeo and Eddie Simpson forward. 

The Sharks now take on Subiaco at Fremantle Oval on Saturday from 1135am. 

Colts:

It was the qualifying final at Leederville oval, as East Fremantle and Claremont went head-to-head to win the opportunity to play Perth for a grand final spot.

The Sharks dominated possession of the ball and had several earlier inside 50 entries, however, couldn’t capitalise into a score and the Tigers went coast to coast to open the scoring. Claremont added 2 more goals and they kept the East Freo scoreless at quarter time. Tigers by 19 points at the end of the first term.

As the conditions grew heavier with heavy and the wind against them, the deficit was out to as much as 25 points. Key Forwards Jack Cocking and Sam Otto kicked team lifting goals to keep the Sharks in the fight. The Tigers still held onto a 3-goal margin at half time.

The start of the third quarter, Claremont still had the game of their terms keeping a 4-goal buffer as the result looked to be a one-sided affair. A spark was lit and 2 late goals from Dante Wiseman and Zac Petersen brought the Sharks back and it was game on at Leederville oval. The margin was reduced to 2 goals and the match was evenly poised for a grand finish.

East Freo weathered the early pressure from Claremont at the start of the final term. With their game style finding its rhythm again, the score midway through the fourth was levelled, with 2 set shots converted by Griffin Vladich and Dante Wiseman’s second goal. Unfortunately, that wave couldn’t be sustained for longer, as the Tigers regained the momentum and kicked the last 2 goals. Claremont withheld the spirited Sharks to record a hard fought and entertaining 13-point win.

Full time score East Fremantle 6.6.42 defeated by Claremont 8.7.55.

The loss ended East Freo’s 10 game winning streak, but there were moments through the game that the team can hold their heads up high.

The backline fought admirably led by Ezra Jones (12 disposals 5 marks) and Presley Campbell (24 disposals 5 marks), restricting some of Claremont’s dangerous forwards. James Spadanuda (25 disposals 5 tackles), Mitch Zadow (22 disposals 4 tackles) were key midfield contributors in trying to bring back the team into the contest. Zac Petersen (20 disposals) was a spark in the game, shifting from defence to the forward line.

They’ll get a second chance to fight in the finals as they take on Subiaco coming off a 37-point victory at Fremantle oval on Saturday morning.