14s and 15s Bendigo Bank Talent Academy Carnival

On Tuesday the 29th of September at ATOM Stadium the 14’s and 15’s East Fremantle Bendigo Bank Talent Academy squads started their carnival for 2015. The carnival is the pinnacle of the academy program. It is played over two weeks, with each squad playing in four fixtures against other WAFL Academy teams.

The day kicked off with the 14’s Early squad, coached by Adam Dancey, followed by the 14’s Lates (Scott Bennett), 15’s Early (Ian Ashenhurst) and then the 15’s Lates (Nick Shaw).

The 14’s Early squad were first up and played very well in the first quarter with three goals straight to Claremont’s one goal one point. During the first half, East Fremantle’s Tom Whiltshire suffered a horrific injury, breaking his leg in a collision. Given the seriousness of the injury an ambulance was required to get Tom to Hospital. Play was delayed through to half time and then continued. We wish Tom all the best in his recovery and hope to see him back in the Blue and White in the not too distant future. When the game re-started after half time the boys played some great football showing some clean skills keeping Claremont goalless in one quarter. The early squad ended up achieving their first win of the carnival beating Claremont 37 to 31. This was the first match the 14’s have had against an opposition as a team and all coaches were impressed with what they saw. James Lieschke, Kaleb Ruri, Zachary Hayward, Bay Tucek and Benjamin Wardel were the standouts for the 14’s Earlys. Kaleb Ruri was the leading goal kicker for East Fremantle with two, with Joshua Goodwin, Jake Willis and Luke Jackson all with majors.

14's Earlys

EFFC - 5.7.37

CFC - 4.7.31

The 14’s Late squad coached by Scott Bennett played to their best ability but were clearly out sized by the Claremont boys. But credit to them for holding their heads high and doing what they could. Jeremy Sharp, Luke Dobson, Michael Perrott, Jordan Randall and Tristian Crouch were named as the best for the Sharks and did what they could for the team with some brilliant efforts and some great team work. Nicholas Ahrens, Michael Perrott, Jeremy Sharp and Elec Evensen all scoring majors for the Sharks. The boys went down to Claremont 33-95. The boys will be able to take some positives from their match as they did produce some great passages of play, but were clearly outsized throughout the match.

14's Late

EFFC - 4.9.33

CFC - 14.11.95

The 15’s Early Squad, coached by Ian Ashenhurst, had a terrible start to the day with the first five goals being kicked against them to our two points. The second quarter got worse for the Earlys and at half time Sharks trailed 0.4.4 to Claremont 9.6.60. To their credit the boys came out with a bang after half time, scoring four goals to one and then six goals to one in the last quarter only to miss a first win by 10 points. The miraculous comeback from the Sharks showed excellent courage and resilience, but was also a great lesson in that if you don’t come ready to play, football can turn on you quickly. They will be able to take a lot out of the game and now know what they are capable of doing. Players Ben Fraser, Ben Elsbury, Dillon O’Reilly, Tom Joyce and Connor Douglas were the standouts for the Early squad. Dillion O’Reilly scored an impressive 7 goals which was an outstanding effort and Jacob D’Amato, Ben Elsbury and Jack Camarda also came away with majors for the Sharks.

15's Early:

EFFC - 10.4. 64

CFC - 11.8.74

The 15’s Late squad had a very successful day at ATOM Stadium. After a bit of a slow start kicking 1.0.6 in the first quarter to Claremont 2.4.16, our boys then kicked 3.4 in the second keeping Claremont scoreless. It was then deja vu for Claremont in the third quarter, with the Sharks kicking 2.5 and keeping Claremont scoreless once again. The Sharks really hit their straps in the fourth quarter kicking 5.0 to Claremont two behinds. Their ball movement and ability to defend was outstanding. It was a very impressive game by the 15’s late squad with Isaac Richards, Connor Bowler, Nelson Aranda, Kaine Burgess and Tarquin Mercer the most influential on the day. Tarquin Mercer was exceptional with 6 goals along with Tyson Pittard with 3 and Lachlan Armstrong and Lukas Jones each with 1 major.

15's Late

EFFC - 11.10.76

CFC - 2.6.18

Our next fixture is at ATOM Stadium on Friday the 2nd of October against the South West team starting at 10am. All the best to the players involved. Andrew Dodd Talent Academy Assistant