Sharks lose game and Young

East Fremantle has had disappointing start to their season, losing to Swan Districts by 11 points at East Fremantle Oval.

The loss of big man Rob Young rubbed salt into the wound as the Swans avenged their Preliminary Final loss, winning 13.15 (93) to 12.10 (82).

Young could be out for up to six weeks, with the utility damaging ligaments in his left knee during a ruck contest in the opening quarter.

East Fremantle led the Swans up until midway through the third quarter, when Tim Geappen kicked two goals to swing the game the Swans way.

The Sharks had begun the game in frenetic fashion, kicking three goals in the space of eight minutes to lead by 17 points midway through the opening term.

Geappen kicked his first goal of the game a short time later to reduce the margin to 10 points, before Brock O’Brien kicked his second goal for the Sharks to see them lead by 15 points at the first break.

Three goals in the opening three minutes of the second quarter saw the Swans take the lead for the first time in the game.

Cameron Symonds managed to stop the rot with a goal for the Sharks, but the Swans extended their lead with back-to-back goals through Murray Newman and Geappen.

A purple patch for the home side saw momentum swing back in the favor of the Blue and Whites, before a goal in the dying seconds from Geappen saw the their lead reduced to four points at half time.

The third quarter was scrappy for both sides as the Sharks failed to score a goal.

Geappen kicked his sixth major of the game to see the Swans out to a 10 point lead.

Inaccuracy in front of goal cost the Swans as they kicked six behinds for the third term, to lead by just 13 points at the final break.

The Sharks started the last quarter in a similar way as they started the game, with Max Duffy kicking two goals in the opening 10 minutes to give his side a six point lead.

East Fremantle threatened to run over the top of the Swans in the final term, but the Black and Whites fought back with goals to Newman and Shaun Hilderbrandt to regain the lead.

Newman sealed the win for the visitor with his fourth goal late in the quarter to see the Swans run out winners by 11 points.

Geappen, Newman and Hilderbrandt showed how threatening the Swans can be up front ,especially with superb delivery from midfielders Tom Roach and Aaron Elari.

Symonds worked tirelessly in the ruck for East Fremantle and was well supported by debutant Fraser MacDougall, while Bradd Dalziell, Rory O’Brien and captain Mark McGough were busy as ever in the Sharks midfield.

East Fremantle’s back six performed admirably despite the loss, with reigning Lynn Medalist Steven Dodd, Mitch Brown and Andrew Stephen among the Sharks’ best.

The Sharks now have a bye before returning to the scene of their preseason draw on Good Friday when they take on Peel Thunder at Bendigo Bank Stadium.

                                    Q1       Q2       Q3       Final

East Fremantle              4.1       8.4       8.5       12.10 (82)

Defeated by.

Swan Districts               1.4       7.6       9.12    13.15 (93)

Goals

EF: Peake, Duffy 3; B.O'brien 2; Macdougall, Boyle, Perham, Symonds 1. 

SD: Geappen 6; Newman 4; Hildebrandt 2; Cameron 1.

Reserves

EF 19.11 (125)

Def.

SD 7.10 (52)

Colts

EF 9.17 (71)
def.

SD 8.15 (63)