Sharks Lose Last Round But Secure Home Final

League

East Fremantle may have been beaten by Subiaco at Medibank Stadium yesterday, but held on enough to host the first semi-final against Swan Districts at ATOM Stadium this Sunday, September 7.

In the final round of the home and away season it was an opportunity for both the Sharks and the Lions to fine tune anything required before sides embark on their finals campaigns this week.

The first quarter was predominantly played between the arcs with both side consistently making skill errors and turning the ball over.  It wasn’t until the 9 minute mark before the first goal was scored, a mark and goal from Shane Yarran of Subiaco.  By the end of the first quarter scores were tied at 2.1 apiece.

The second was much of the same, with a number of mistakes being made by both sides.  It took another 9 minutes in the quarter before a goal was scored, courtesy of a Danny Chartres mark and goal.  The next fifteen minutes saw the Lions take a bit of control on the game and make the most of the opportunities provided, kicking the next three goals to open up the biggest margin of the game to that point, being 12 points.  But like the Sharks have done all season when tested in this position they fought back well, kicking the last two goals late in the quarter to have the game again all tied up at 5 goals 3 points.

At half time it looked as though the team that came out from the main break and used the ball best was going to be the team that would take advantage.  It was the Lions who started best, kicking the first two goals of the quarter to open up a handy 10 point lead, but by the time Chartres (2^nd goal), Andrew Stephen and Brock O’Brien (15 possessions for the quarter) had kicked three successive goals it looked as though the Sharks were taking a hold on the game.  A late goal to Subiaco reduced the margin to just 2 points at the final change and all was set for an exciting finish, however it was the Lions who finished strongest.  With slick ball movement Subiaco were able to get a number of inside 50 entries and that began to take a toll on the Sharks boys, who tried valiantly to repel, but in the end it proved too much.  Subiaco kicked 4.6 to 3 points in the last quarter to run out 25 point winners. 

Major ball winners for the Sharks were Brock O’Brien (31 possessions), Rory O’Brien and Bradd Dalziell (both 26 possessions) and Mark McGough (23).  Danny Chartres was the only multiple goal scorer, kicking 2 goals.

East Fremantle  8.8 = 56    defeated by  Subiaco  12.9 = 81

GOALS: 2 D.Chartres, 1 T.Chalwell, B.Peake, B.O'Brien, M.Edwards, A.Stephen, J.Perham

BEST: B.O'Brien, R.O'Brien, A.Stephen, R.Young, M.McGough

Reserves

The Development League boys went into the game secure in the knowledge that they were also already going to play finals next week, but unfortunately the match against Subiaco was not the ideal preparation, with our boys comprehensively beaten by 108 points. 

East Fremantle started well and by the ten minute mark of the first quarter were in front.  From that point however it was all Subiaco, who kicked 5 unanswered goals in the back half of the quarter to lead by 30 points at the first change.

With a midfield who ran harder and used the ball better, a backline that repelled what forward thrusts we had and a forward line that was dangerous all day, taking great advantage of the delivery given, Subiaco kept piling on the pressure and were able to score almost at will.

A few boys from the Sharks team gave their all and stayed in the game for most of the day, the likes of Tim Bristow, Mitchell Boyle and Ryan Lester-Smith, but there were far too many passengers on the day.

The Sharks will have to put that behind them and focus with full intent on getting back on the winner’s list against Claremont in the sudden death playoff.

East Fremantle    7.3 = 45  defeated by Subiaco  24.9 = 153

GOALS: 2 R.Lester-Smith, 1 J.Depane, J.Lindsay, B.Ellis, J.Fletcher, R.Bourne

BEST: T.Bristow, M.Boyle, R.Lester-Smith

Colts

The Colts headed into their last game of the year hoping for a performance that would at the very least finish them on a positive note.  It had been a tough year for the young Colts group, but one thing that had never wavered was their effort and commitment to the program.

They came up against a Subiaco team that was also out of finals contention, so it was going to be a game to see who could take the most out of their last game.

Our boys stuck to their guns early, using the ball with more precision and controlled the play for longer periods and at half time they were right in the contest only trailing by a couple of goals. As has happened a number of times this year however, the Sharks boys came out a little off in the second half, allowing Subiaco to take control of the match and once they had kicked five goals to one in the third quarter the game was all but over. 

To our boys credit they continued to have a crack in the last quarter and ended winning the final quarter by 4 points.

Fraser Perry finished off the year well, collecting 29 disposals, while Tom Bennett and Conor Regan both finished with 25.  Callum Ellis was the only multiple goal scorer, kicking 2 goals.

East Fremantle   6.7 = 43  defeated by  Subiaco  11.11 = 77

GOALS: 2 C.Ellis, 1 J.Drennan, J.Gittos, O.Smith, F.Perham

BEST: F.Perry, T.Bennett, N.Menegola, O.Parish, T.Marshall