Battle of the Easts

The AAMI WAFL Round 7 match between East Fremantle and East Perth is set to be a mouthwatering clash, with both clubs rolling out players with AFL experience.  East Perth, under the alignment with West Coast, could play as many as 12-13 current West Coast listed players, with 10 named below and a possible 3 to return once West Coast finalise their squad to 22 for Sunday’s Western Derby.  Add ex-AFL listed players Oakley-Nicholls (Richmond), Nathan Blee (Port Adelaide), Brendan Lee (Essendon) and Paul Johnson (West Coast, Melbourne, Hawthorn) to the mix. 

The Sharks, who in recent years have been well served by their AFL listed players, have a host of players who have had their own AFL experience.  Along with the recent return of Bradd Dalziell (West Coast) and Cameron Eardley (Geelong) from AFL lists in season 2013, the Sharks have the returning Jamie McNamara (West Coast), Brett Peake (Fremantle and Saint Kilda), Steven Dodd (Fremantle), Danny Chartres (Essendon), Jayden Schofield (Western Bulldogs) and Brock O’Brien (Fremantle).

There is plenty on offer for all spectators with anywhere up to 21 current or ex-listed AFL players, a number of experienced WAFL players and some exciting young talent making their mark on a very compettive WAFL competition. 

Some of the potential match ups could present some enthralliing contests.  Brock O’Brien, in excellent form off half back this year, could line up on the exciting Josh Hill.  Jayden Schofield no doubt will cross paths with Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls and renew their hostilities of the past.  The wise head of Steven Dodd will look to show the young talent in McInnes that there is no substitute for experience and the hard nut youngsters in Sheed and Eardley could lock horns in the middle of the ground.  Dalziell could line up on former team-mate Smith and it will be a show of who still has the speed, Peake or McGinnity. 

Both sides have had a couple of slips ups during the first part of the season, so this clash adds even more importance with a top two ladder position up for grabs.  We know our boys are ready to take on the second of the aligned clubs after an impressive win a couple of weeks back against Peel Thunder.

Make sure you get down to Shark Park to witness what could be one of the games of the year.