Sharks to include 12th debutant v Tigers

The Sharks host the inform Tigers this Saturday June 27 at ATOM Stadium (East Fremantle Oval) in what appears to be a crucial game for the Sharks in order to set up their season after 5 straight losses have pushed them back in the race for the finals. The Tigers had a slow start to the 2015 season but after a 5 game winning streak are back in the hunt despite losing to ladder leaders Subiaco last weekend. The Sharks now sit 8^th on the ladder with 5 wins, one spot below the Tigers who also have 5 wins for the season. The race for a top 5 spot has become a close battle with 4 teams on 6 wins and percentage separating 3^rd place to 6^th. The Sharks need to get back on the winners list to jump into finals contention in 2015.

Former Sharks captain Mark McGough will play his last game for the club tomorrow after announcing his retirement. Mark has played 105 games for the club from 2010 until now, Mark also had a brief AFL career where he played a total of 49 games for Collingwood and St Kilda which included an ANZAC Day medal in 2002 for best on ground in the ANZAC Day game. Mark has been an exceptional player for the East Fremantle Football Club and we wish him all the best in his last game.

The Sharks will be without Julian Locantro and Jake Schleicher who has a shoulder injury this week but have included debutant Barry Barone alongside Cameron Crisafio, Brandon Ellis, Mark Mcgough, and Andrew Stephen in the squad. Claremont has included young ruckman Darcy Cameron, Isaac Baum, Mathew Palfrey, and Francis Watson in the squad to replace John Williams.

Barry Barone will make his league debut against Claremont on Saturday at ATOM Stadium; the 19 year old becomes the 12^th debutant for the Sharks in season 2015. Barry comes from the very productive Bull Creek-Leeming Junior Football Club and first appeared at the Sharks as part of the 14’s development program.  He has gone through almost the perfect apprenticeship playing in all development squads, through to Colts where he finished 4^th in the Allan Trott Medal as a 17 year old.  Unfortunately Barry suffered an ACL injury at the start of the 2014 season, missing the entire season.  He has made the transition in to senior football very well, playing strongly in the Development League before fracturing a cheekbone.  A hard-nosed midfielder who can go forward we wish “Baz” all the best in his debut.

Claremont’s dangerous forward line will be an area of concern for the Sharks with small forwards Jack Bradshaw and Shane Mcadam both sitting the top 10 goal kickers for the season with 24 and 18 goals respectively, shutting down the Tigers main goal kickers will go a long way in helping the Sharks to a win on the weekend. However a hard fought victory over the Tigers in Round 5 this season will bring some much needed confidence to the group, Saturday’s game kicks off at 2:15pm at ATOM Stadium.

The Sharks Development League side like the League hasn’t been playing their best football of late having not recorded a win in their last 6 appearances. Last time these teams met the Tigers won comfortably by 47 points. The Claremont Development League currently is sitting in 5^th spot thanks to a healthy percentage with 5 wins for the year. The Sharks have only recorded 2 wins for the season and would like to see the Tigers lose their prized top 5 spot by winning on Saturday. The game starts at 11:30am at ATOM Stadium.

The Sharks Colts side is in fine form sitting on 8 wins and in 2^nd position on the ladder. The Colts are currently showing great form winning 5 of the last 6 games. However a tough game is expected on Saturday with the Claremont Colts side being the only team ahead of the Sharks at the moment winning 9 games so far. A win by the Sharks will see them take over the top spot on the WAFL Colts ladder, but it wont be easy as the last time these sides met the Tigers had a day out restricting the Sharks to just 3 goals and winning by 47 points. Good luck to the Sharks Colts side on Saturday who will kick off at 9:00 am. 

Injury List

Stokes – quad test

Perry – hip flexor  1-2 weeks

Schleicher – shoulder 1-2 weeks

J.Bristow – hip 2-3 weeks

Howson – nose 2 weeks

Cripps – quad 2 weeks

T. Bristow – foot 4 weeks

Edwards – groin 5-6 weeks

Hampson – knee 7-9 weeks

Regan – knee indefinite

Lindsay – knee indefinite