Sharks score a big win over the Falcons

East Fremantle has gone one step closer to making the 2013 WAFL finals by defeating West Perth by 73 points at Arena Joondalup on Sunday, in front of a crowd of 6,200 for International Day.

It was the perfect way to celebrate Steven Dodd’s 100^th game for the Sharks and the debuts of Michael Edwards and Alex Howson. Dodd is the first player to play 100 games for both the Dockers and the Sharks and was carried off the oval after the match by team mates Mark McGough and Rob Young.

East Fremantle hit the scoreboard first courtesy of big man Rob Young. He went on to kick four for the game and was a danger all day. The Falcons response didn’t take long though and they kicked the next 4 to go nineteen points up. The Sharks then steadied to kick two and reduce the margin to just four points at the first change. The Falcons led 4.2 (26) to 3.4 (22).

In the 2^nd quarter, the lead changed 5 times. Brad Dick gave the Sharks the lead with his second goal within a minute of the start of the second quarter. West Perth’s Mark Hutchings then kicked consecutive majors to take the lead out to ten after six minutes but the East Fremantle reply came shortly after as the result of a free and fifty to the Sharks. The lead then changed 3 more times before the siren saw East Fremantle go into the main break with a one point advantage; 7.6 (48) to 7.5 (47).

Whatever coach Steve Malaxos said at half time worked, because once they were back on the field, the Sharks blew West Perth off the park. In the 3rd quarter they kicked nine unanswered goals in arguably the best quarter of football they’ve played all year to lead by fifty six at the twenty five minute mark. The goals in the quarter included 3 from Young and 2 from debutant Alex Howson, There was little that the Falcons could do to stem the tide, only managing 1 major for the quarter. The game was won at three quarter time as East Fremantle led by fifty; 16.9 (105) to 8.7 (55).

The Sharks went a long way to improving what could be vital percentage, kicking another 4 goals to 1 in the final quarter.  Final Score 20.14 (134) to 9.7 (61).

East Fremantle sits in 4th place, and a win over Swan Districts would just about secure our place in the finals.  

Injuries: Max Duffy, hamstring, 4 weeks; James Bayliss, knee, TBC

RESERVES

The Reserves team suffered a narrow loss earlier in the day, going down to West Perth by 7 points. The Reserves now sit in 5th place, but still have a good chance of making the finals.   

GOALS- WEST PERTH: 2 D.Rohde, A.Lynch, T.Shadbolt, 1 J.Embley, M.Mcphee, B.Walton, S.Money

EAST FREMANTLE 2 A.Ricciardello, 1 C.Symonds, J.Schleicher, G.Curley, C.Fannon, T.Bowey, M.Hill, T.Chalwell

Injuries: Kurt Tropiano, knee, TBC; Cameron Symonds, knee, TBC; Hooker, hip flexor, TBC

COLTS

The Colts returned to form with a 136 point annihilation of the Falcons. Jacob Green and Aliir Aliir kicked 5 each, while both Green and Barry Barone had game high 28 possessions a-piece.

The Colts also sit in 4th place, courtesy of the percentage building win, but must still win the remaining two games to be assured of September action.

GOALS- EAST FREMANTLE 5 J.Green, A.Aliir, 3 J.Marsh, J.Rayner, 2 B.Barone, R.Bourne, 1 T.Sutton, J.Jansen

WEST PERTH: 1 J.Kirwen

Congratulations to the West Perth Football Club and District for their International Day initiative. The game attracted a crowd of over 6000 people and helps showcase WAFL footy to new football followers.