Sharks break their duck

The East Fremantle Sharks swept away Swan Districts on Saturday afternoon at Steel Blue Oval, winning at all levels and seeing the league side back to their winning ways.
Led by a prolific 41 disposal performance by Liam Anthony, the Sharks ran out 13.13 (91) to 11.7. (73) winners.
Swan Districts scored the opening goal, as they did in every quarter, but the Sharks soon found themselves in front the hard way with seven straight behinds, earning little reward after dominating the early proceedings.

East Fremantle's goal kicking woes were shot lived, with Liam Anthony, Brett Peake and Fraser Perry kick-starting the Sharks, taking a 15-point lead into quarter time.

Swan Districts responded in the second term through Banfield and Ugle but the Sharks would steady through Hampson, and a Matt Watson mark and goal just before half time topped off a promising period of play.

Watson's goal was only a sign of things to come. A run of three straight games with a goalless third term was ended in style as with a six goal quarter, highlighted by a further two goals from Watson and a brilliant mark and long range effort by Jacob Green.

Brett Peake added the Sharks lone two majors of the final term, but a late string of goals from Swan DIstricts saw the Sharks lead halved from 36 to 18 at full time.

After a four game losing streak, coach Rob Wiley was happy to see the group take the four points -- but with this weekend's Derby against South Fremantle looming, he was equally pleased to see his leaders get back near their best.

"There's a lot of positives to take as it's definitely hard when you're down on confidence but are able to get across the line," said Wiley.

"There were a few of our leaders who stood out and Liam was one of them, also Jimmy Bristow in the ruck was certainly fantastic as was Brock O'Brien down back, and it's good to see Hampson and Eardly show signs of their form.

"We need our good players and our leaders to be playing well and showing the way to the younger group.

"The results didn't go our way today but we have to focus on playing a really good side in South Fremantle who I thought were excellent against Subi on Thursday night, but we will just keep on working on a few things that are important to us."

Wiley also paid tribute to the lower grades as the Development league maintained their fourth place standing on the ladder while the Colts earned a vital four points to just remain in the top five.

"It's encouraging seeing the Development League have another great win," said Wiley.

"We can see a lot of players in good form there and it builds pressure to build for a spot and that's what you need."

East Fremantle 13.13.91 defeated Swan Districts 11.7.73

The earlier games made the end result for the Sharks a great one, with both the Colts and Development League sides recording important wins.

The Colts faced the fourth placed Swans and needed a victory to keep hope of playing in the finals in season 2016. From the outset it was a tight, tough tussle, with both sides controlling play and having momentum at various stages.  The Sharks had more of the ball and more inside 50’s but struggled to put any real scoreboard pressure on in the first half.  The defence, under the guidance of senior coach Rob Wiley, were resolute, led by Bailey and Holmes, who was playing behind the ball. 

The move of Zurhaar to the forward line during the third proved to be a decisive move as he took a few strong contested marks and kicked 1.1, but looked constantly dangerous, whilst the senior players in midfield, including Baskerville, Harding and the Sorrell brothers all started to lift strongly. 

The last quarter, with the Sharks trailing by 9 points and their season on the line, needed a huge effort.  East Fremantle came out fierce from the first bounce of that quarter, with excellent pressure, aggressive tackling and better ball use and eventually over run their opponents, kicking 3.3 to a single point to record an outstanding win.

Holmes was very good all day collecting 27 disposals, whilst Baskerville (28), Harding (22) and Zurhaar (22) were the other major ball winners.  Zurhaar was also the potent forward on the ground, kicking 3 goals, with Dwayne Nevill finished with two last quarter goals, after been held for most of the match.  The back line, as mentioned were brilliant, rebounding 27 of Swans 33 inside 50’s, however it was one of the Sharks best team performances of the season

East Fremantle                8.7 = 55              def                      Swan Districts                 6.8 = 44

The Development League needed to win for the third straight game to give them some breathing space against a Swans side who was fighting for a finals post in season 2016.  A win for the Sharks would take them 1 step closer to securing a finals berth for the first time for a couple of years.

The boys looked in control for most of the first half, with more possession and dominating clearances, however with some poor turnovers and some easy scores that Swan Districts were able to get over the back, the Sharks were only 13 points up at the half time break. 

East Fremantle came out just as hard in the third, but like the first half weren’t quite making the most of their chances and combined with some poor kicking in front of goal our boys kept their opponents in the game, leading by under three goals heading in to the final term.

The Sharks dominated the final quarter and had they kicked better than the 2.5 they scored, the game would have been well and truly over quickly, but at the end of the day, in the context of the season a 27 point victory is well and truly good enough.  The win sees the Sharks hang on to fourth spot on the ladder, with a handy break on those outside the five, but the boys certainly cannot afford to res on their laurels.

Dion Anthony responded to his omission from the League side in the best possible way, with 35 disposals, 11 clearances and a nomination for goal of the year.   James Harrold also omitted, gathered 28 disposals across half back, including 9 marks and 5 rebound 50’s. Conor Regan continued his improvement with 25, while the diminutive Ollie Parish continues his great run of form with 21 disposals, 7 clearances and 7 inside 50’s.  Jeff Carter has also struck a purple patch up forward kicking four goals, with Ricciardello (2) and Anthony (2) the other multiple goal scorers. 

East Fremantle                12.18 = 90          def                      Swan Districts                 10.3 = 63