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

Superb Sharks Dominate Derby

Match day brought to you by our major sponsor Kevin's Water Cartage and our supporting partner Imperial Homes.

East Fremantle produced a stunning Derby demolition of rivals South Fremantle, steadying their position in the top five with a 66-point win at Fremantle Oval on Saturday.

The Sharks kicked 8 of the first 9 goals of the match to establish an early scoreboard dominance, producing a four-quarter dominance to record their 200th derby triumph in the 17.16 (118) to 7.10 (52) rout.

Bill Monaghan produced a masterstroke move, swinging usual defender Cameron Eardley forward with devastating effect, the premiership star with 10 shots on goal for the match as he registered a career high four goals.

Magnificent conditions greeted the two Fremantle clubs for the 391st derby between the two clubs in what is WA football’s oldest and most enduring rivalry, the match crucial to both sides finals hopes.

South Fremantle had started well in the WA Day derby in June, establishing an early dominance that East Fremantle couldn’t overcome to win by 14 points.

The Sharks were coming off their fourth bye of the season, their most recent fixture a fortnight earlier against West Perth.

South Fremantle secured two points in round 17 against Swan Districts, playing out a thrilling draw that was decided after the final siren.

East Fremantle welcomed back skipper Matthew Jupp after a month off due to concussion protocols, while Sandover Medallist Blaine Boekhorst was back for his first match since round eleven to add some class through the middle of the ground.

The reigning premiers were almost at full strength, Dillon O’Reilly was also back to strengthen things up forward having missed the Falcons match with a slight shoulder issue, replacing suspended forward Cody Leggett.

Eardley was in the game early, presenting strongly to take a mark just inside fifty at left half forward.

The veteran launched a long drop punt that soared through for the opening goal at the ten-minute mark, impacting the match early after being swung forward.

Jed Hagan produced a classy finish after winning a free kick, snapping truly from the left forward pocket as the Sharks produced a strong opening to the match.

Lachlan Blakiston set the tone for the contest in the ruck by taking clean possession and winning the opening clearance, his athleticism worrying opponent Solomon James.

The Sharks pressure was causing Souths to make errors at either end of the ground, while defensive duo Lennon Marlin and Matthew Jupp were strong in the air, repelling the early attacks with gusto as the Bulldogs failed to register a goal in the opening quarter.

Boekhorst weaved his way through traffic and slotted a classy goal to open the second term, before Souths finally found a major through Kaden Harbour.

Eardley quickly responded with his second goal from his fifth scoring shot, while Hagan bobbed up with a brace of majors as the Sharks midfield gave the forwards territory dominance.

The margin blew out to 47 points closing in on half time, Jack Cleaver punishing another Bulldogs turnover and Harry Marsh kicking truly as East Fremantle continued to dominate every position on the ground.

A late goal from Riley Colborne reduced the margin to 41 points at the half, but it was a large mountain to climb for South Fremantle after the major break against an inspired East Fremantle side, looking for just their second derby win since 2016.

The ominous part of the first half scoreline for the Bulldogs was that neither of the East Fremantle key forwards Jono Marsh and Dillon O’Reilly had hit the scoreboard, the Sharks still able to register 8 first half majors.

Eardley opened the second half by snapping his third goal from a forward 50 stoppage, Chris Walker getting on the end of another strong possession chain to kick a major from the goal square.

O’Reilly then broke his duck after another Blakiston clean possession centre clearance, slotting truly from 35 metres out directly in front.

The rest of the term belonged to the key forward, who kicked three goals for the term as the Sharks extended their lead to 59 points at the final break.

Milan Murdock and Kyle Baskerville were important in the clinches as were Jarrad Jansen and Jack Cleaver, Blakiston dominant in the centre breaks.

Souths tried their best to add some respectability to the scoreboard in the last quarter but it was more of the same from the reigning premiers, Eardley and O’Reilly both slotting their fourth goal of the afternoon while Jono Marsh got reward for his hard work further up the ground, charging past two defenders to kick a goal from the square.

His ‘fins up’ celebration that followed seemed a fitting epitaph to the contest, East Fremantle dominating the game from the outset as they took not just the four points from their cross-town rivals, but fourth spot from them on the ladder.

Captain Jupp’s return from injury saw him produce a trademark defensive performance, recording 25 disposals and 15 marks to lead from the front in an even team effort.

Murdock had a telling say with 25 touches of his own, but the story of the day was Eardley, who had 22 disposals, 8 marks and 4.5 after being swung forward by coach Monaghan in a masterstroke move from the premiership mentor.

Hagan and O’Reilly shared seven goals between them, while Lennon Marlin hauled in 11 marks down back in another strong display.

East Fremantle General Manager of Football Brad Dodd praised a complete performance from the league side.

“It was an excellent performance built on sustained pressure on the ball carrier and a willingness to keep the ball moving forward when we won it.” Dodd said.

The Sharks boss was glowing in his acclaim of Eardley’s game up forward after playing most of the past four seasons in defence.

“It was floated earlier in the week about pushing Eardley forward and Cam brought exactly what the coaching group expected- a fierce attack on the ball, both on the ground and in the air.”

Jupp’s return was also hailed as a great success by Dodd, who starred in game 194 after a month on the sidelines.

“Great to have Juppy back- he sets the team up really well and leads from the front.”

Dodd said the side would quickly move on to another massive clash, this time against Swan Districts in round 19.

“It’s such a tight season and while it was a satisfying victory, we need to move in pretty quickly and focus on Swans- who are the form team of the competition.”

The win marked Bill Monaghan’s 100th game as coach of the club in fine style

Earlier in the Reserves clash East Fremantle recorded their second thrilling win over South Fremantle for the season, 8.7 (55) to 7.7 (49).

The Sharks started strongly but were somewhat wasteful, kicking 2.4 in the first term to open up an eight-point lead.

Four goals in the second term helped the Sharks at one stage to a 32-point lead, only for South Fremantle to kick four consecutive majors in the second half to snatch the lead at the 11 minute mark of the final stanza.

Zac Petersen was the hero for the Sharks, kicking the match winning goal at the 17-minute mark to give his team a narrow lead.

It would prove to be the final goal of the game, East Fremantle holding their nerve to notch their ninth win of the season.

Returning premiership star Josh Schoenfeld had 24 disposals to push his claims for a recall, Ezra Jones and Mitch Zadow each with two goals for the winners.

Griffin Vladich continued his stake his claims for a league debut with 22 disposals and 6 marks, while Declan Pauline had 22 disposals and 8 tackles.

The win leaves East Fremantle in third spot, two games clear of South Fremantle in fourth spot and on the same amount of points as second placed Subiaco, albeit the Lions have played one less match.

The Colts wait for a win continued as the Sharks losing streak extended to eight, South Fremantle producing a dominant second half in the 13.7 (85) to 7.4 (46) result.

The match was a particularly poignant one for both teams, following the recent passing of Souths Colts player Nick Campo, who’s funeral was the day before the match.

East Fremantle had paid tribute to the talented 18-year-old in their round 16 match with West Perth, donning red and white socks against the Falcons with many of the Sharks youngsters having had a connection with Nick due to the close proximity of the two clubs.

South Fremantle produced a dominant final quarter, kicking five goals to one to extend their lead from 17 points at the last change to 39 at the final siren.

Both teams posed for a photo arm in arm post-match in honour of their fallen mate.

Elijah Stockden had 27 disposals for the Sharks, while Luke Carrello finished with 26, Jaxon Graham with two goals to be the only multiple goalkicker for the blue and whites.

The Sharks sit in sixth spot, unable to make finals ten points out of the top five with just two matches remaining.

Round 19 sees East Fremantle host Swan Districts across all grades at Pentanet Stadium, with three rounds remaining until finals.