Derby delight for Easts

The Sharks have continued an improbable run for the away side in Fremantle Derbies, defeating league leaders South Fremantle by 39 points today at Fremantle Oval.

The 13.12.90 to 6.15.51 win made it 13 consecutive derby wins by the away team, with East Fremantle taking a stranglehold of the game after half time. Leading by three points to start the third quarter, the Sharks kicked eight goals to two for the remainder of the contest to finish in a canter.

Jack Perham continued a string of great performances against East Fremantle’s local rivals, providing a strong marking target up front and kicking three goals. Peake also added three to his season tally, which has stretched out to a team leading 25.

The stats sheet did no favours to Jesse Crichton however, who picked up just three disposals while playing a vital tagging role on Bulldogs midfielder Ashton Hams. Hams came into the game averaging just under 31 disposals, but Crichton limited Hams' involvement to 11 with just two kicks and nine handballs.

Behind Matthew Jupp, Josh Cuneo and the returning Sam Read, the East Fremantle backline was again on song, seeming impenetrable for most of the second half as South Fremantle went goalless from the seventh minute of the second term to the 22nd minute mark of the final quarter.

By the time South Fremantle put an end to the drought in the final term the game was virtually over as the Sharks ran riot early in the term with four goals over an eight minute period. Brett Peake kick started the run with an expert snap from the pocket and was backed up by Matthew Watson and captain Jamie McNamara before Peake added another to put the final nail in the coffin.

The win means East Fremantle moves back into third spot on percentage over Peel who defeated Subiaco at Domain Stadium on Sunday. The Sharks will chase their 8th win of the season in a fortnight's time in another blockbuster match against the second placed Subiaco.

There will be a league-wide bye next week with the WAFL State Side facing Tasmania on June 11 at Steel Blue Oval.

Liam Anthony, Brock O’Brien, Andrew Stephen, Matthew Watson, Brett Peake, Jamie McNamara and George Hampson are the Sharks representatives named in the initial 41-player squad, with the side to be finalised later this week.