East Fremantle Show Their Class With a Dominant Win over Swan Districts

A stunning performance from new Sharks recruit George Hampson has lead East Fremantle to a 16.7 (103) to 10.12 (72) victory over Swan Districts.

The former premiership player for Subiaco booted five goals on his return from a hamstring injury and along with a hungry midfield and a rock solid defence the Sharks looked in control from start to finish.

The Sharks suffered an early blow with Samuel Read being forced off the ground and unable to return due to concussion caused from a strong tackle by Swans forward Ricky Cary.  During the second quarter Liam Anthony also underwent a concussion test following a heavy fall in a marking contest.  But true to form, with backs to the wall and lacking rotations, the resilient Sharks continued to control the play and had it not been for three late goals in red time from the Swans the margin would have been more reflective than the final margin of 31 points.

Brandon Ellis kicked the first goal of the game for East Fremantle, who jumped to a quick lead and never looked like giving it up. Sean Henson was very good early, racking up 15 possessions in the first half. Jamie McNamara, who was outstanding from start to finish in the midfield, was courageously taking strong intercept marks across half back and working hard defensively from the midfield.  Rory O’Brien, who was heavily tagged throughout the game, ran his opponent ragged and Liam Anthony, returning in the second half after his knock, was totally dominant in racking up 23 possessions, 10 marks and 5 clearances in the second half alone.  The midfield was well served by Rob Young who wound back the clock with his best 4 quarter game for some time.

The backline, with a man down in Read and totally outsized, were outstanding.  Brock O’Brien, returning from injury collected 28 possessions and 11 marks, but it was his use by foot that certainly helped the ball movement of the team.  Boston Williamson continued his good early season form, Jordan Dorotich did very well on the dangerous Geappen and Cameron Eardley, who had to reshuffle after the loss of Read, provided excellent drive off half back.

Apart from Hampson’s haul, Jack Perham played an important role in the forward half, shutting down the influence of Swans playmaker in Justin Simpson.  Brandon Ellis and Bradd Dalziell, who switched between high half forward and wing, each kicked two goals and often looked dangerous in the East Fremantle forward line.

An interesting note from the game was that in the second half the Sharks equalled a WAFL record for the “most goals kicked by a single team in a second half without kicking a behind. Other time: 10.0 (60) by South Fremantle vs West Perth in Round 11 1921” (WAFL Footy Facts)

The win sees the Shark’s record improve to 3 and 2 with a massive fixture next Monday the 27^th of April, where we take on South Fremantle. The game will be telecast on Channel 7 and takes places at Fremantle Oval at 2:40pm. (Colts 9:15am, Development League 11:45am)

Goals: 5 Hampson; 2 Ellis, Dalziell; 1 Boyle, Perham, Eardley, Henson, Schofield, Dorotich, Anthony.

Best: J.McNamara, G.Hampson, R Young, L.Anthony, B.O'Brien, J Perham

Colts

Earlier games didn’t go quite as planned for the Sharks as both the Colts and Development League teams blew great chances to record victories only to fall short at the final hurdle.

The Colts were in total control in the first quarter of their game against the previously unbeaten Swans and looked as though they were going to comfortably beat the Colts Premiership fancies.  But as often happens in football if you don’t take your chances the game can turn on you pretty quickly.  The young Sharks dominated all KPI’s during the first half, the biggest being I50’s where it was an imposing 33 to 8 at the main break.  However the half-time score of 5.8 gave the Swans a sniff to come from behind.

Unfortunately that is exactly what happened.  It was total reversal of the first half and it was the Swans who were harder at the contest, in first and penetrated their inside 50 zone during the third quarter.  At one stage the Swans kicked four goals from 6 inside 50’s to turn a 20 point deficit to a 4 point lead heading in to the last quarter.

The final stanza was frenetic, with the Swans pulling away before a late burst saw the Sharks hit the front and with around 5 minutes to go the upset looked likely with East Fremantle up by 7 points.  But as good sides do, the Swans came again, kicking three more goals in succession to eventually win by 12 points.

East Fremantle                        9.10 = 64         def. by             Swan Districts             12.4 = 76

GOALS: 3 L.Strnadica, 2 C.Zurhaar, F.Perry, 1 T.Bennett, S.Lewis

BEST: F.Perry, T.Bennett, K.Baskerville, M.Cronan, J.Snadden

Development League

The Development League also had a tight tussle with Swan Districts from start to finish.  The first quarter started brightly with both sides kicking three goals, but had it not been for some wasteful opportunities in front of goals our boys could have been a couple of goals up at the first change.

The second quarter was essentially where the game was won for the Swans, where they kicked 4 goals to 1 and at half time they went in with a handy 20 point lead.

With two East Fremantle players going down in the third quarter it looked as though the Swans would pull away from our boys, but to the Sharks credit they dug deep and really fought out the game.  Had one or two little half chances been taken it may have just bene a super victory, but unfortunately kit wasn’t to be. 

In what was an earlier return than expected, Michael Edwards was excellent across half back, a role not been exposed to since being at the Sharks.  Julian Locantro is getting better with each run, winning a heap of the ball, particularly in the first half where he had 15 possessions.  Barry Barone and Aaron Holmes continued their solid form and Josh Cuneo was winning his battle down back, until he succumbed to hamstring soreness in the second half.

East Fremantle                        10.14 = 74       def. by             Swan Districts             11.14 = 80

GOALS: 2 B.Barone, 1 J.Cuneo, B.Singh, C.Humble, J.Locantro, J.Williamson, J.Green, T.Bowey, A.Ricciardello

BEST: M.Edwards, B.Barone, A.Holmes, C.Humble, J.Cuneo