2013 Review of the Year

And so another year comes to an end; a few weeks earlier than we had hoped, but it was quite a year nonetheless.

Read a review of the year by the Head Coach- Steve Malaxos

Read a review of the year by the Football Manager- Darryn Fry

March

We started the year with the MND Kerry Coates Joyce Allen Cup. East Fremantle and Swan Districts Football Club raise funds and awareness for the Motor Neurone Disease Association of WA, and this was the second year that we played for the MND Cup, which unfortunately was taken home by Swan Districts. Later in the year, staff and players from EFFC would take to the streets to ‘shake tins’ for the MND Street Appeal and the Walk to D’Feet.  We also celebrated the 70^th anniversary of our 1943 premiership, with 6 members of that team in attendance.

Another Cup followed, with the Sharks returning from Mandurah on Good Friday with the Bendigo Bank Cup. Bendigo Bank sponsor both Peel Thunder and East Fremantle and are big supporters of community and WAFL footy.

April

To kick off the junior and amateur footy season, we held our annual District Day on April 6^th. This was a celebration of those who participate in footy in our District. From players to parents, volunteers to coaches, the East Fremantle Sharks are able to have one of the highest percentages of local players in the WAFL because of the commitment and enthusiasm of those who play and organise footy in our District. To go some way towards thanking the players and their families, we gave every junior participant 2 free tickets to the match, where we broke a 13 year long hoodoo at Shark Park with the first of 3 victories over Subiaco in 2013.

We travelled to Brownes the following week, for a thriller against Perth- Sean Henson kicked the winning goal with only seconds remaining on the clock, to notch up our third win of the season.

Later in April we celebrated our 60 Year Anniversary of playing at East Fremantle Oval, with players from the 1953 side present on the day. Residents from East Fremantle joined us as we paid tribute to our heritage in the town. In a year when the future of the East Fremantle Oval Precinct has been much discussed by The Town of East Fremantle, local residents, other organisations on the precinct and the Club itself, it was great to celebrate our place within the East Fremantle community. 

We travelled to Fremantle Oval just 5 days later to play in the Anzac Day Derby, the first of three Fremantle Derbies. East Fremantle represented the Air Force, while South Fremantle represented the Navy, in specially made guernseys that listed players from both clubs who died serving their country at war. We also raised funds for Legacy, a charity that supports service men and women and their families.

May

2013 brought many new experiences for the Club on and off the field; a highlight “off the field” that was actually held on the oval was the Dad’s Footy Campout. Whether the 2am fun with the sprinklers was a highlight is a matter of personal opinion, but the kids and their dads who camped out on the field certainly had a fantastic time. We’re sure this will become an annual event on our calendar.

We all had a break the following weekend, except our State Reps that is; Steven Dodd, Rory O’Brien and Andrew Stephen. The boys helped WA to their first win over the Victorian team in 22 years.

We then had nearly a month away from home, including a trip to Adelaide for round one of the Foxtel Cup. It was one of the wettest matches we’ve been involved in for a long time, only surpassed by the second round of the Foxtel Cup held at Patersons nearly 2 months later. The Sharks showed they can perform on the national stage, and when the final siren went to give us an upset victory over Norwood, it’s possible the boys in Adelaide heard our cheers from the Left Bank.

June

The State 18s tournament kicked off in June, and East Fremantle had no less than 8 representatives: Aliir Aliir, Richard Bourne, Patrick Cripps, Josh Cuneo, Jarrad Jansen, Jake Solomon, Jonathon Marsh and Conor Regan. WA won games against Tasmania and Vic Country, but lost to Vic Metro and eventual winners, South Australia.

After a short break, we were back at East Fremantle for the Foundation Derby, which we had moved to the Sunday to avoid a clash with an Eagles game. It was a day to forget for the Sharks; and a rare moment of joy in 2013 for South Fremantle fans. Only the Reserves managed a win, but there were plenty of positives besides the result: We once again supported Zaidee’s Rainbow Foundation, to raise awareness of organ and tissue donation. Mitch Brown (West Coast Eagles) and his fiancé Shae Bolton became Zaidee’s Ambassadors and the rainbow shoelaces were a hit with the players- we’ve even spotted some still wearing them. We encourage all Sharks supporters to register for organ donation and most importantly, to talk to their family about their wishes.

Two more home games followed the Derby; the first against Peel where we were once again victorious, then a loss to West Perth on Family Day. Families are a huge part of the East Fremantle Football Club and of course football in general. Many of our supporters, and some players, are second, third or fourth generation Sharks, and we’re working to ensure that the younger generation will keep the WAFL traditions alive. We took full advantage of the space available at the Oval, providing two jumping castles, a petting zoo and pony rides for the kids.

We announced our winner of the NAIDOC Guernsey Design Competition, Daniel Wallington from Banksia Park Primary and Bullcreek Leeming JFC, and hosted 2 of the 3 living players from the 1946 undefeated Premiership side- Jack Sheedy and Harold Jefferys.

If that wasn’t enough for one day, we also supported families living with Angelman’s Syndrome. Aralie Jez, who has the Syndrome, was carried onto the Oval by Captain Mark McGough, and we helped promote their fundraising event; A Night for the Angels, which will be held at the Club on November 16^th.

Also in June, Sharks Legend Brian ‘Bomber’ Peake was inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame.

July

After 3 games away, where we lost to East Perth and Claremont before defeating Subiaco, the team and supporters headed to Paterson’s stadium on an incredibly wet Tuesday night in July for the Foxtel Cup Semi Final. The Sharks proved the better swimmers- taking an early lead over Werribee and never looking in doubt- to book our place in the Foxtel Cup Grand Final.

We returned to East Fremantle Oval for our third win over Subi of 2013, followed by a very entertaining match between our Corporate Classic winners- Getley Paulsen and Best Loans. There was plenty of talent on display, with AFL & WAFL legends including Matthew ‘Spider’ Burton, Peter Quill, Steve Malaxos, Luke Weller and Clinton Browning all taking part. The teams were coached by Ron Alexander & Ken Judge, both of whom were able to get a lot more than 18 players on the field without the notice of the umpires. Getley Paulsen were the eventual winners, no doubt helped in some way by a longer team list.

On the same day, we celebrated Christmas in July for St Vincent de Paul, and asked Sharks supporters to bring in donations, which were given to their winter appeal. The generosity of our supporters was evident in the mountain of clothing, bedding, sporting equipment and cash donations we received.

The final Derby against South Fremantle followed, a resounding victory by the Sharks meant the Bob Uittenbroek Brian Ciccotosto Cup was back in our hands. But it was the following week, with a 28 point win over Perth Demons, which really showed the competition that the Sharks had the potential to make the finals in 2013.

August

Three days later we were in Adelaide, competing in the Foxtel Cup Grand Final. West Adelaide got off to an early lead, and despite East Fremantle having all of the possession in the second half, accuracy let us down and the Bloods were able to hold on to their lead to become the 2013 Foxtel Cup Champions. It was a great campaign by the Sharks, and the boys really did us proud.

It was a busy week for the Sharks with the Annual Gala Auction at the Club on the following Saturday. In many ways it was the most successful Auction we’ve ever run, and we are eternally grateful for all of the donors, buyers, volunteers, attendees and staff who made the night the success it was.

What followed this were must win games: West Perth, Swan Districts and Claremont. We started and ended well with victories over the Falcons (where Steven Dodd played his 100^th game for the Sharks) and the Tigers, but the key game proved to be Swan Districts- our 23 point loss and their subsequent win over West Perth, meant the Sharks finished 5^th. Perhaps the most heartbreaking thing was that all 3 grades finished 5^th, to come so close is painful, but all we can do now is look to the future and what’s still to come in 2013.

September

Saturday 14^th - Alan Trott Medal Count (Colts)

October

Saturday 5^th - Lynn Medal Count and Presentation

November

Thursday 21^st - EFFC Corporate Golf Day