Sharks Draw First Preseason Game

East Fremantle’s 2013 campaign has got off to an intriguing start, tying their opening preseason game against Peel Thunder at Bendigo Bank Stadium.

Godfrey Curley had the chance to win the match for the Sharks with a kick after the siren but put the ball out-on-the-full.

While only a practice match the understrength East Fremantle looked shaky at times as they drew against Peel in a seesawing affair, 11.12 (78) to 12.6 (78).

The Sharks started the game slowly with Peel Thunder kicking four goals to two in the first quarter to lead by 13 points at the first break.

An impressive start to the second quarter by East Fremantle saw them steal the lead off Peel.

Goals to Tyler Chalwell and Louis Cronan saw the Sharks extend their lead to 9 points before a goal and a couple of close misses to Peel saw the lead reduced to a point before the half time siren.

Rob Young’s first goal of the match midway through the third term saw the Sharks extend the lead to six points.

Three straight goals to the home side saw the game seesaw back into Peel Thunder’s advantage, before a late goal to Max Duffy reduced the margin to seven points at the final break.

Duffy then switched on in the final term to kick his second and get the Sharks within a point.

Peel Thunder hit back again to regain the lead, but the 50 metre penalty and the resulting goal to East Fremantle’s Ryan Lester-Smith put the Sharks back in front.

Inaccuracy cost East Fremantle throughout the last term as they scored three behinds in a row to push their lead to four points.

An attacking period of play by the Thunder saw them take the lead with just five minutes remaining.

Duffy’s second goal for the quarter and third for the game got East Fremantle back within a point, before a 55 metre bomb by Jack Perham saw the scores tied with under two minutes to go.

East Fremantle’s defense managed to force a turnover and in the dying seconds of the game Godfrey Curley took a mark 55 metres out from goal.

With the scores tied Curley was forced to take his kick after the siren, but his shot drifted to the left and went out-on-the-full.

Mitch Boyle looked lively around the ground, as did perennial ball getter Rory O’Brien.

Duffy’s three goals and speed around the ground was a standout while fellow Dockers listed player Sam Menegola performed impressively in the midfield.

Rob Young looked at his best when he was in the ruck but still looked threatening as a forward option and Richard Hadley was consistent throughout.

Cameron Symonds looked composed in the ruck but might face some pressure from Mack Byron-Prendergast who played well in the reserves.

                                    Q1       Q2       Q3       Final

East Fremantle        2.1       6.5       8.5       11.12 (78)

Drew with

Peel Thunder           4.2       6.4       9.6       12.6 (78)

Goals:

Duffy 3; Young, Lester-Smith, Hadley, Simpson, Menegola, Henson, Chalwell, Cronan 1