Sharks Prevail Against the Thunder, Kicking Plenty of Goals for Batten Disease

East Fremantle Football Club enjoyed another successful day at Shark Park, winning both the League and Reserves games and only falling short by four points in the Colts. Thanks to the the generosity of our supporters, players, staff and sponsors - particularly Bendigo Bank - we raised $4,600 for the Batten Disease Support and Research Association! Thank you to everyone who donated and participated and thank you to the Halley Family for joining us.

Colts

The Colts contest was a scrappy affair from the outset, with both sides making a number of fundamental errors and turning the ball over.  The Peel boys were more composed inside 50 however and took the most of their chances to lead 3.1 – 0.3 at quarter time.  The Peel backs in particular rebounded extremely well through the entire first half allowing only 3 goals from East Fremantle’s 21 inside 50’s.  The Peel side looked to break open the game in the third quarter, piling on another 4 goals to no score and at three quarter time had opened up a commanding 37 point lead.  Coach Mark Foster swung some changes at the break and implored the boys to take risks and open the game up, which they did very well.  Our boys came home with a wet sail, kicking the only 5 goals of the quarter to almost snatch an unlikely victory.  In the end the boys ran out of time to pull back the 6 goal deficit and fell short by less than a kick.  Mitch Kleppe was outstanding both in defence and attack (last quarter) taking 4 contested marks, in tough windy conditions.  Oliver Parish continued his excellent form and it was great to see Liam O’Donnell play his best game of the year. 

East Fremantle                        8.6 = 54                       def by              Peel Thunder               9.4 = 58

GOALS: 1 J.Snadden, C.Holmes, S.Grljusich, C.Green, J.Gittos, C.Strnadica, C.Ellis, M.Kleppe

BEST: M.Kleppe, L.O'Donnell, O.Parish, C.Regan, J.Snadden, M.Cronan

Reserves

The Reserves game was an excellent contest by two very committed teams.  Peel had come off their first win of the season and were looking to continue their improved performances against our boys who were on an excellent 6 game winning streak.  The first half was an arm wrestle with both sides repeatedly repelling opposition forward thrusts.  At half time both sides had only kicked 5 goals each, with Easts holding a slim 2 point lead.  The third quarter really opened up and the game turned into a free flowing affair with both sides hitting the scoreboard more frequently.  The midfield battle was an enthralling with both teams trading clearances and with 9 goals kicked for the quarter (5 by EF and 4 by PT), our boys headed to the last quarter still with only a 5 point lead.  It was the last quarter where the Sharks really got on top.  With the backs getting right on top, led by Ricciardello, Chalwell and Cuneo, a midfield that were running over the top of their opponents and a forward line that was looking dangerous, especially Alex Howson in his return (4 goals), and Dylan Coulthard (3 goals) our boys finished with plenty of run, kicking 6.5 to 2.0 to record a comfortable 34 point win.

East Fremantle                        16.12 = 108                 def                   Peel Thunder               11.8 = 74

GOALS: 4 A.Howson, 3 D.Coulthard, 2 M.Boyle, C.Fannon, 1 R.Bourne, J.Depane, D.Anthony, B.Williamson, L.Cronan

BEST: M.Franklin, T.Chalwell, A.Holmes, J.Green, A.Ricciardello

League

The League game was always going to be a ripping contest.  Peel had come off a 21 day break, to our boys’ 5.  Peel boasted 13 current Fremantle listed AFL players and with the return of Scott Gumbleton and Clancy Pearce, plus the likes of Anthony Morabito and Colin Sylvia in good form, our boys knew they had to be up for the challenge.  Our boys however had just come off two very good wins against South and Perth and were confident of doing well.   The Thunder came out with a bang in the first quarter, gathering possessions at will, using the ball very well and getting the ball in to a forward line that looked threatening with 4 players that stood at 196 cm or taller.  With Pearce collecting 18 possessions in the first quarter, Morabito (8 and a goal), Crozier (8 and 2 goals) and with Peel having 132 possessions and 38 marks it looked as though they were on.  But to our boys’ credit they were able to work hard defensively as a unit and restrict Peel’s dominance to only concede a 21 point deficit at the first break.  Scott Hancock was moved on to Pearce at quarter time and limited his influence and with better ball movement in the second our boys pegged back Peel’s lead to trail only by 7 points at the main break.  After the break the Sharks came out hard kicking 5 goals to 3 to take a 7 point lead themselves heading in to the final term.  When Peel kicked the first 2 goals of the final term, courtesy of some strong work by Sylvia, it may have looked like a fresher Peel side would run away, but with a resolve and resilience not to be underestimated our boys willed themselves to each contest and worked together to kick the next 5 goals to record an outstanding 25 point win.  The backline were outstanding all day battling against their taller opponents.  Our midfield outpointed a very impressive looking Peel midfield, led admirably by young Cam Eardley who after half time was ruthless on his attack on the ball and his opponents in his best game for East Fremantle at League level and the forwards continued to work well as a group, kicking 15 goals for the second time in five days. Congratulations to Danny Chartres on his 100th WAFL game.

East Fremantle                        15.10 = 100                 def                   Peel Thunder               11.9 = 75

GOALS: 3 R.Lester-Smith, B.Peake, J.Schofield, 2 J.Perham, 1 C.Eardley, R.Young, R.O'Brien, J.Bristow

BEST: B.O'Brien, C.Eardley, S.Read, M.Mcgough, R.Lester-Smith

Batten Disease

A special win, in honour of two young brave men and their family, dealing with impact of Batten Disease.  Luke and Curtis Halley had a great day as guests of the Club, proudly wearing their East Fremantle jumpers.  Luke was able to speak to the players after the game, congratulating the boys on a fantastic win (although he does believe we can kick more goals) and that in itself was a very powerful moment for everyone who was in the room.  To our players, staff, volunteers, corporate partners and supporters who got behind the Halley family and the boys to help raise awareness of the disease a huge thank you.  A special mention to Adam Kelly for his drive and passion in raising the awareness and to ensure the family had a day to remember.

Bendigo Bank Cup

The Sharks retain the Cup for the 3rd year in a row. The Cup was presented to captain Rory O'Brien by the Chair of the Bendigo Bank Fremantle Branch, Debra Rule.

Congratulations to everyone who took part in our 1/2 time marking contest and to the Sharks players who helped to run the contest.