WAFL R8 & WAFLW R12 Wrap Up with Jacob Landsmeer - Thanks to The Left Bank

Sharks stutter past Demons

East Fremantle has held off a fast finishing Perth to steady itself inside the top five, winners by four points at Revo Fitness Stadium on Saturday.

The 11.11 (77) to 10.13 (73) result was notable for the return of 2022 Sandover Medalist Blaine Boekhorst, who was one of the most impactful players on the ground with 18 disposals and 3 goals in his first match in over 600 days at senior level.

The win sees the Sharks maintain a spot in the top four, the reigning premiers yet to find their best form heading in to the WA Day derby against South Fremantle.

The Sharks-Demons clash was held in enemy territory, Revo Fitness Stadium in Claremont the venue as the delay continues on a return to East Fremantle Oval.

Bill Monaghan’s side welcomed back three class players for the clash, Dillon O’Reilly playing his first match since round 18 of last season while Jono Marsh was welcomed back for his first match since the round two demolition of Claremont, where he kicked seven goals at the same venue.

But the big story was the return of Blaine Boekhorst, playing his first match in 658 days following an ACL injury that ended his 2022 Sandover Medal season in August.

The Sharks started slowly against a Perth side that had shown plenty of improvement through the first six games of 2024, the Demons letting their opponents off the hook by commencing the game with six behinds.

Marsh broke the scoring deadlock for East Fremantle with a set shot goal from a ruck free kick, but Harry Quartermaine finally found the target for Perth after a strong mark in the goal square.

O’Reilly got involved in his return game to feed the ball to Tom Bennett, the premiership wingman snapping accurately to give the Sharks a three-point lead at quarter time.
Brynn Teakle lifted in the second term after failing to record a possession in the first quarter, East Fremantle lifting through returning champion Boekhorst as he kicked two goals for the term.

Perth had the answers though, Quartermaine and Sam Stubbs looking ominous up forward to help the Demons establish a one-point advantage at half time as the rain arrived.

Milan Murdock was a force in midfield in the first half with 14 disposals, following on from his Simpson Medal performance in the state game six days earlier.
He moved forward in the second half as coach Monaghan mixed up the magnets, able to hit the scoreboard early in the term as Jarrad Jansen and Kyle Baskerville inspired a turn around in fortunes.

The blues and whites kicked four of the first give goals of the term to establish an 18 point lead, Boekhorst weaving his way through the forward 50 to kick a goal of the year contender, his third of the day.

Again Perth found a second wind, Quartermaine continuing his strong showing with another mark and goal to reduce the margin to 10 points at the final change.

Stubbs bought the Demons within four points when he slotted a set shot at the start of the last quarter, the game going up a notch with four precious premiership points on the line.

Teakle literally stood tall as he marked a long Cody Leggett ball to steady the East Fremantle nerves with a major, and when Tom Bennett slotted a goal from deep in the right forward pocket the game looked safe, the reigning premiers leading by 18 points halfway through the last term.

Perth would simply not lie down, Stubbs snaring his fifth major in a dominant display before Corey Byrne kicked truly from long range, the margin 3 points in time on.

Jono Marsh had a chance to seal the game from long range but missed, however some mature heads helped the side cling on for victory, Kyle Baskerville and Milan Murdock standing up along with Cameron Eardley and fellow veteran Jansen.

The siren ended Perth’s hope of a remarkable comeback win, neither side gaining a lead of more than 3 goals in a tight match for the duration of the contest.

Jansen was superb with 25 disposals and 6 inside 50’s, Murdock his side’s leading possession getter with 27 touches and a goal, the diminutive midfielder continuing to press his claims for a mid-season rookie draft spot.

Kyle Baskerville won 23 disposals having gone in to the midfield more prominently after half time, while Jack Cleaver did some nice things down back to rack up 22 touches.

All three of Marsh, Boekhorst and O’Reilly got through the game unscathed, but Marsh will be unavailable to face South Fremantle due to work commitments next Monday.

East Fremantle Football Operations Manager Brad Dodd was relieved the league side could hold on for a crucial victory.
“It was pleasing to bank another win- though it wasn’t a perfect performance, the result means we hold our place in the 5,” Dodd said. “We were able to build a lead after half time on the back of stoppage dominance, led by Jarrad Jansen who was pivotal in the victory.” “Perth never stopped coming and gave themselves a chance to win the game, so it was positive we were able to close it out.”

Attention now turns to the biggest day of the home and away season, the WA Day derby against South Fremantle at Fremantle Oval next Monday at 1:10 PM.

The league win was a part of a great weekend for the club, with all five grades winners across both Saturday and Sunday.

The Colts kicked things off with a dominant win over the Demons on Saturday morning, Kobe Austin producing one of the best individual performances of the season with seven goals from nine marks up forward.

Elijah Stockden (29 disposals) and Jack Eastaugh (22 disposals and 8 marks) also had big games, while Jake Austin also snared two goals for the winners in a 15.8 (98) to 8.6 (54) result.

A strong Sharks Reserves side took care of the Demons by 48 points, producing a nine goal to two second half to win 15.14 (104) to 9.2 (56).

Mitch Zadow continued his push for a recall with five majors, while Jackson McDonald had 34 touches in his second match in the reserves, one of three premiership players who featured in the clash.

Ethan Paholski and Zachary Rankin each kicked three goals for the winners, the win soured by a leg injury for young forward Jack Cocking.

The East Fremantle Women’s side now seem almost certain to win the WAFLW minor premiership after comfortably accounting for Claremont at Revo Fitness Stadium on Saturday evening.

The win was set up by a superb opening quarter in wet conditions, Sharon Wong with two brilliant goals on the night as the former Dhara Kerr medallist showcased her class.

The reigning premiers were stronger and tougher for longer in weather that made ball handling difficult, Chloe Wrigley producing a brilliant performance with 22 disposals and an astounding 15 tackles.

Emmelie Fiedler continued her dominant ruck form with a whopping 44 hitouts to go with 13 disposals.

Zippy Fish continued her brilliant season with 25 disposals and 12 tackles as well as a goal, Claremont’s only major coming with three minutes left in the contest.

The 5.3 (33) to 1.6 (12) result means the Sharks now have a two game plus percentage gap on their nearest rivals West Perth and Claremont, only three rounds remaining in the 2024 home and away season.

The perfect East Fremantle weekend was complete just after midday on Sunday when the Rogers Cup side powered away from Claremont to win 7.7 (49) to 5.4 (34) at Revo Fitness Stadium.

Grace Freeman snared two goals for the winners, who continue their push up the ladder to now occupy second spot, only behind the undefeated West Perth.

The women’s league program heads to Bassendean Oval on Sunday to face a rising Swan Districts side, while the Rogers Cup heads to Lathlain to face the Demons.