Early Burst Sets Up Royal Win

A five minute burst in the first quarter and another two minute burst just before three quarter time, where East Perth kicked 6 goals, was the difference in the end for the Sharks in Saturday’s match at Medibank Stadium.

Our boys looked sharp early on in the piece, having the first two shots on goal, but those missed chances proved costly as West Coast listed players in Hutchings, McInnes, Adamson and Colledge had a burst that saw the first three of that quartet kick 4 goals between them.  The Sharks responded through Williamson, but when Newman and Wullf scored goals late in the quarter the Royals had kicked six goals to our two.

The second quarter started very much the same way as the first and with East Perth having the first 4 scoring shots of the quarter they had opened up a 33 point lead and the Sharks were in trouble of letting the game get away from them.  Consecutive goals to Hooker and Boyle, then a 50m bomb from Eardley late in the quarter saw the margin reduced to 20 points at the main break and some momentum East Fremantle’s way.

The Sharks started the third very strongly, controlling the play and a few moves made by coach Dodd paid dividends.  Liam Anthony was shifted forward and kicked two consecutive goals and second game ruckman Fletcher kicked another.  McNamara was playing really well in the middle and skipper Rory O’Brien, playing his 100^th East Fremantle senior game, was racking up possessions and with the backs holding up very well the Sharks all of a sudden found themselves just 3 points behind with the ball in their forward line.  However a costly turnover saw the Royals take the ball the length of the field to kick a steadier, then just over a minute later the dangerous Craig Wullf kicked his second to open the margin again to 15 points at the final break.

With East Perth looking to shut the game down the last quarter was very much an arm wrestle with both sides having the run at various stages, that saw the margin blow back out to five goals to only have it reduced to three, but at the end of the day the Sharks were unable to close that gap any further, with East Perth running out eventual winners by 21 points.

The loss sees our boys sit precariously in 8^th position on the WAFL ladder, but still only a game outside the top five, with a crucial game this week against the Tigers, to be played at ATOM Stadium this Saturday afternoon.

East Fremantle                  11.7 = 73              def. by                  East Perth           14.10 = 94

In earlier games the Colts continued with their recent run of good form, defeating the Royals by 36 points, whilst the Development League boys struggled again, this time losing by 85 points.

With a few of the State 18’s boys returning, Colts always looked in control in their game, but couldn’t really break a spirited East Perth side until later in game. 

The Sharks got off to a flying start, using the ball efficiently, and big man Luke Strnadica was able to take advantage in kicking two goals for the quarter.  Tom Bennett was providing plenty through the midfield, along with the in-form Adamini and by quarter time East Fremantle had 5 goals to 1 on the board.

A more determined East Perth came out in the second quarter and with our boys dropping off a little the Royals fought hard to get back into the contest, but a late goal to Hamish Rodgers (16 year old on debut) saw our boys go in 20 points up at the main break.

The third went goal for goal and similar to the League game there were periods of play where both sides looked as though they could take the game by the scruff of the neck.  Rodgers was still posing a strong target up forward, kicking 2 more goals for the quarter.  Holmes was also lively, getting in and under the big men but just couldn’t quite capitalise kicking two points.  Hebiton was again solid down back, repelling the Royals’ forward thrusts, and playing on the resting ruckman, giving away more than ten centimetres in height.  By the time the teams headed to the final quarter East Perth had reduced the margin by another point.

The final quarter was a stanza of swings and roundabouts, where our boys kicked the first to gain a handy lead, to only then see consecutive goals by the Royals reduce the margin to 13 points.  But the twin towers up forward kicked another couple between them to see the Sharks run out eventual winners by 6 goals.  This week our boys will play in a top of the table clash against Claremont, which should provide spectators a fantastic viewing.

East Fremantle                  14.11 = 95                            def.                        East Perth           8.11 = 59

The Development League boys once again had their work cut out for them, heading in to their match still missing a number of injured players and coming up against a side that released two back from League selection from the previous week.  At the end of the day those two players proved to be very influential in kicking nine goals between them.

The game started with a bang for the Royals, leaving our boys somewhat shell-shocked and by the end of the first quarter the game was almost beyond reach, with East Perth piling on 8.0 for the quarter.

A better defensive effort by our boys in the second quarter restricted the Royals to just two goals, but unfortunately we couldn’t hit the scoreboard and by half time the game was all but over with East Perth leading by over seven goals.  There were a few Sharks boys who should have gone in to half time with their heads held high, with Barry Barone and Matthew Bannister, both of whom were returning from injury, the best to that point.

The second half was more of the same with East Perth piling on 10 goals to 3, but some moves by the coaching staff worked well, with Adrian Ricciardello, who had played well down back, moved to the forward line and kicked two goals.  Crisafio, another defender who was playing well, also moved up the ground and kicked his first goal of the year. 

East Fremantle                  6.7 = 43                 def. by                  East Perth           20.9 = 129