Sharks to blood 15th Debutant v Demons

After 8 straight losses this could be the week for the Sharks to return to the winners list as they take on the Demons who sit below the Sharks at the bottom of the ladder with just one win for the season. The Demon’s victory came way back in Round 5 against Claremont, and since then they have struggled resulting in a 103 point loss to East Perth in Round 6 and 133 point loss last weekend to Subiaco.  While finals seem out of the picture for 2015 the Sharks would hope to find some of their form they showed in the earlier stages of the season and finish off the year well.  The Sharks had the bye last week and will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing result in the Round 17 Derby where they lost by 8 points despite playing some good football throughout the day. The Demons had a tough afternoon going down by 133 points to an impressive Subiaco last week while the Sharks rested up. Saturday’s game will be played at Lathlain Park, a ground where the Sharks have had some success in recent times, having not lost to the Demons on their home ground since 2009. The last time the sides met was in Round 8 this season where the Sharks won by 24 points at ATOM Stadium. Saturdays Game kicks off at 2:15pm at Lathlain Park.

East Fremantle will continue its recent trend of showcasing future talent by playing season 2015’s debutant number 15 (13^th local debutant) in Josef Hebiton against Perth at Lathlain Park this Saturday. Josef is a great story for every young footballer who has and may try out for talent academy squads.  Josef first came to the Sharks when he made the 14’s development squad, only to miss out on selection for the 15’s and 16’s programs.

Originally from the Applecross and Attadale Junior Football Clubs, Josef went back to community football, until year 12, where he played really good PSA football for Wesley. He persevered and worked extremely hard on his game and his fitness.   At season’s end and in meeting with Michael Warren, Sports Teacher at Wesley and ex-East Fremantle player, Josef was invited to train with the Colts program in November. After a solid pre-season campaign, the athletic Hebiton made his Colts debut in Round 1 this year, lining up at fullback against East Perth.  After a slight form slump early in the season, Josef went back to his amateur club for a week and returned with renewed energy and enthusiasm and has not looked back since.  He gets his chance to play League football tomorrow on the back of 6 exceptionally strong weeks in the Colts. Congratulations “Hebs” on your debut.  We are all confident you will do well.

The Sharks Development League will be hoping to narrow the gap between them and the Demons this weekend with the Demons sitting in 7th place on the ladder, one spot ahead of the Sharks by one and half games. The Sharks went down by 72 points in the Derby but should be rejuvenated and ready to bounce back against the Demons who are coming off a  99 point belting at the hands of Subiaco last weekend. The Demons won the earlier encounter this season by 52 points at ATOM Stadium. Bounce down for the Development League is at 11:30am this Saturday. 

The Sharks Colts side continues to impress this season recording another win in Round 17 against the Bulldogs before last weekend’s bye. The Colts sit in 3^rd position on the ladder, but a win this weekend against the 7^th placed Perth is crucial as the Sharks sit only a game clear of the 4 sides below them who are all separated by percentage. Good Luck to the Colts who kick off at 9am on Saturday.