Match Report – Sharks hold out Royals in thrillerSunday, August 22, 2021 - 12:22 PM - by Breanna Redhead

EAST Fremantle might want to head to Leederville Oval more often backing up last week's upset over Subiaco with a nail-biting two-point win over East Perth back at the same venue on Saturday.

East Fremantle was out to prove it is the best team out of finals contention on the back of that 44-point win against the league-leading Subiaco last Saturday, but up against them was an East Perth who had been on a good run before losing to Swan Districts a week ago.

The Royals had won four of their past six matches heading into that so it was always going to be intriguing to see who came out on in the battle for sixth spot at Leederville Oval on Saturday.

The win was secured by Dillon O’Reilly in the 26th minute of the final term, kicking his third goal of the day in a tantalising quarter that saw the lead bounce back and forth between teams.

It was a first half that didn’t reach any great heights for either side with East Perth leading by nine points at quarter-time and still by 11 at the major break with only a combined seven goals kicked.

Things kicked up a gear in the second half, though, starting with East Fremantle recapturing its form of a week earlier kicking seven goals in the third quarter to head into three quarter-time on top by 31 points.

However, the Royals were far from done yet as they got back to within a point by building some momentum early in the final quarter and then quick hands from East Perth led to a snap from Matthew Young putting them in front by five points.

It was immediately responded to by Nick Kommer who re-instated the lead for the Sharks by a single point. A crucial behind from Ryan Lester-Smith, followed by another goal from O’Reilly ensured they’d take home the win.

It was a dramatic finish to an entertaining and tense second half with East Fremantle prevailing 13.8 (86) to 12.12 (84) to improve to a 7-10 record on the season while East Perth slips to 6-11.

Big numbers on the scoreboard from both sides, East Perth’s Matthew Young led the goalscoring way with a career-best five goals.

Eddie Simpson chipped in with with three while the Sharks owed their win to Dillon O’Reilly and Hugh Dixon who each had three goals as tall targets in attack.

Eddie Simpson opened the scoring for the blue and black but it was a remarkable solo effort from Ben McGuire, accelerating down the right wing to the goal square that secured their second major to give the Royals the impressive start.

East Fremantle struggled to get moving, only managing the one goal in the first term despite dominating the inside-50 count 13-8.

While the Royal reign continued in the second quarter as the side settled into their ball movement, it was Dillon O’Reilly who opened the scoring for the term bringing the sharks within a goal of their competition.

Typical livewire Jayden Magro proved his worth, kicking truly to add to the Royals growing lead, a stunning text-book kick from a player known for his lethal left boot.

The Sharks continued to challenge East Perth with strong forward pressure, Ryan Lester-Smith working hard to move the ball. 

However, it was Jarred Jansen who was the late rescue for the side kicking a desperately needed goal for the Sharks in the 23rd minute to leave them trailing by 11 points come the major break.

The Sharks could taste blood in the water as they came roaring out of the tunnels for a ripping third term the turn the game around in a massive seven goal triumph.

Brynn Teakle opened the scoring success for the term, but it was immediately responded to by the Royals. 

Jordan Snadden wasted no time in securing another major for the Sharks, sneaking into a vacant square to finish a strong mark from O’Reilly.

The stars of the show were O’Reilly, Teakle and Dixon, collectively kicking four of the seven goals for the term. Dixon was the most notable of the trio producing his second and third goals of the day to finish the quarter strong with an incredible 21-point lead in a surprising spin of events.

Hungry for victory Royals came out scoring an unanswered two goals in the first 10 minutes of the final quarter, with second majors from Simpson and Matthew Young bringing the team just seven points short of the lead.

While a clean snap from Jonathon Marsh kept the Royals in check, Young dug deep for his side kicking truly to ensure a win remained within reach.

A heroic mark from Simpson saw him kicking around the corner to boost the Royals ahead by a single point with a much needed major late in the term.

Continuing the trend, Young used quick hands to snap over his head giving the Royals a confident lead in his fourth goal for the day.

But the Sharks weren’t done yet, quickly working the ball up the field with a fine finish from Nick Kommer to reclaim the lead by just one point. O’Reilly went on to kick a back-to-back goal, his third of the match, sealing the victory for the Sharks.

Despite another stunning goal from Young in the 29th minute to bring the Royals short by two points, the Sharks ran the clock to ensure them back-to-back wins, continuing their fine form.

HOLY TRINITY TURNS THE TABLE
A whopping seven-goal scoring surge boosted the Sharks ahead in the third term. The high numbers were the work of Hugh Dixon, Dillon O’Reilly and Luke English who scored four of their seven goals across the term in their remarkable comeback. English and Dixon worked quickly with back-to-back goals in less than a minute to get the Sharks ahead for the first time all day, propelling the side to go to score so well.

YOUNG TALENT TIME
While the Royals didn’t come out on top, there is no doubt Matthew Young was the star of the field. A force to be reckoned with, he fought hard to keep his team in the game right to the final buzzer producing five goals for the day. With just 12 disposals he proved his value, booting five goals despite only having eight kicks.

OPTUS WAFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON – ROUND 20

EAST PERTH                2.4    4.8    6.10    12.12 (84)
EAST FREMANTLE            1.1    3.3    10.7    13.8 (86)

EAST PERTH: Goals – Young 5; Simpson 3; Magro, Robertson, McGuire, Merritt.
Best – Kerr, Scott, Young, Lynch, Simpson, Robertson, Willcocks, Schumacher.
EAST FREMANTLE: Goals – Dixon, O'Reilly 3; Kommer, Snadden, Boekhorst, Marsh, Jansen, English, Teakle.
Best – Jupp, Boekhorst, Marsh, O'Reilly, Bennett, Meade, Jansen, Baskerville.