Round 8 – East Fremantle v West Perth Match ReportMonday, May 8, 2017 - 10:21 AM - by Chris Pike

WEST Perth has continued its strong run of form winning a fourth consecutive match to improve to a 5-2 record beating the still winless East Fremantle by 35 points on Saturday at East Fremantle Oval.

West Perth came into the clash at East Fremantle Oval on the back of a three-game winning streak since a 103-point loss to South Fremantle, so they had plenty of momentum up against the winless Sharks.

But East Fremantle had been competitive and been in the contest the previous three weeks against Perth, Swan Districts and South Fremantle, and also had the added motivation with the 150th game of loyal servant Andrew Stephen to try and win for as he earned life membership of the club.

West Perth did threaten to blow the game open at various stages opening up a 16-point lead late in the second term and a 30-point lead by half-time, but the Sharks continued to fight hard.

East Fremantle again fought back to within 10 points heading into time-on of the last quarter, but West Perth kicked away from there with five of the last six goals to end up winning 19.18 (132) to 15.7 (97).

West Perth has won its last four matches to improve to a 5-2 record on the season having only lost to top two teams South Fremantle and Subiaco. The Falcons sit in fourth spot as a result.

East Fremantle has lost its opening six games of the season now to remain the only winless team in the competition.

West Perth had a host of standout performers in the 34-point win led by Corey Chalmers who kicked three goals to go with 27 possessions.

Andrew Strijk also kicked three goals from 24 disposals, eight marks and eight inside-50 entries.

Key forwards Tyler Keitel and Michael Lourey also provided good targets with the former booting four goals from 15 disposals and six marks, and the latter kicking three majors.

Scott Simpson did another good job in the ruck up against both Cameron Symonds and Matthew Watson finishing the afternoon with 20 possessions, seven marks and 18 hit outs.

Trent Manzone continued his outstanding midfield form for West Perth with another 32 possessions while Aaron Black racked up 31 disposals, Luke Meadows 28, Jay van Berlo 24, Aidan Lynch 23 and Shane Nelson 18.

Brock O'Brien played his best game of the season for East Fremantle after an interrupted start to the campaign. He kicked five goals from 14 possessions and 10 marks.

Matthew Watson also booted three goals to go with 18 touches and nine marks.

George Hampson was outstanding for the Sharks all afternoon to end up with 36 disposals and two goals with Cameron Eardley a hard worker ending up with 30 touches, eight tackles and two goals.

Jonathon Marsh racked up another 34 possessions for East Fremantle while Dion Anthony had 23 disposals, Jesse Crichton 22, Tom Bennett 21 and Ryan Lester-Smith 18.

Matthew Jupp did all he could in defence and had 26 possessions and eight marks while Stephen finished with 20 disposals and seven marks in his 150th match for East Fremantle.

East Fremantle made the perfect start with the first goal of the game through Watson but West Perth quickly answered with the next two courtesy of Brayden Antonio and Chalmers.

Then Hampson kicked his first for the Sharks, the Falcons began to kick away with majors to Manzone and Strijk to lead by 16 points before East Fremantle cut it to 10 by quarter-time after a goal to Jayden Schofield.

The Sharks again began the second quarter well with an early goal to Eardley, but the Falcons continued to have the answer with Keitel's first of the afternoon. 

East Fremantle was able to stay in touch until Keitel, Lynch and Tyson Moulton all kicked majors for West Perth shortly before the half-time siren to put the visitors up by 30 points at the main break.

Through O'Brien and Hampson, East Fremantle got back in the contest with the opening two goals of the second half. But again West Perth steadied and Lourey's second just before three quarter-time still saw the Falcons in control by 22 points.

East Fremantle wouldn’t go away and twice during the last term with goals to Dion Anthony and O'Brien got within 10 points, but they would get no closer with the Falcons kicking away with Rudy Riddoch, Strijk, Chalmers, Keitel and Keitel again kicking goals in time-on for the 35-point victory.

West Perth now has the bye in Round 9 before taking on Claremont at HBF Arena ahead of the state game. East Fremantle looks to record its first win of 2017 hosting East Perth at East Fremantle Oval on Saturday.

WEST PERTH            4.4    11.8    13.11    19.18    (132)
EAST FREMANTLE        3.0    7.2    10.7    15.7    (97)

WEST PERTH – Goals: Keitel 4; Strijk, Chalmers, Lourey 3; Lynch, Moulton, Riddoch, Munns, Manzone, Antonio.
Best: Chalmers, Strijk, Simpson, Manzone, Black, Meadows, van Berlo, Keitel.
EAST FREMANTLE – Goals: O'Brien 5; Watson 3; Eardley, Hampson 2; Marshall, D Anthony, Schofield.
Best: Hampson, Eardley, O'Brien, Watson, Marsh, Jupp, Bennett.