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WAFL: East Fremantle Sharks reclaim top spot with win over West Coast Eagles

Samantha RogersThe West Australian
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Blaine Boekhorst had a big day in midfield.
Camera IconBlaine Boekhorst had a big day in midfield. Credit: Justin Benson-Cooper/The West Australian

The minor premiership is East Fremantle’s to lose after the Sharks reclaimed top spot on the WAFL ladder by dispatching West Coast.

It wasn’t quite the percentage boost the Sharks sank their teeth into last time they faced the Eagles, resulting in a 123-point demolition, but the 14.14 (98) to 5.6 (36) win saw them leapfrog West Perth into first position.

Without key midfielders Milan Murdock and Kyle Baskerville (illness), Blaine Boekhorst was huge in the middle, gathering an equal game-high 33 touches, seven inside-50s and a goal.

Jarrad Jansen complemented his 33 touches with seven inside 50s and two majors, while forwards Cody Smith (three goals) and Max Murphy (two) both hit the scoreboard in their league return.

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Michael Tassone dishes off a handball.
Camera IconMichael Tassone dishes off a handball. Credit: Justin Benson-Cooper

East Fremantle forward Reuben McGuire kicked two goals in the opening term, while Hugh Dixon was the Eagles’ best in attack with two majors on return from injury.

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Holding West Coast scoreless in the first term, East Fremantle notched up a formidable 28-point lead before the home side matched their intensity in the second, keeping the margin to just 29 points at half time.

Despite dominating the third term, East Fremantle butchered the ball in front of goal, kicking 1.7 to the Eagles 1.1, adding just three points to the margin.

The Sharks flipped the script in the last quarter, kicking 7.1 to secure a 62-point victory, another healthy boost to their percentage ahead of the final port city derby next week.

Josh Rotham racked it up across half-back.
Camera IconJosh Rotham racked it up across half-back. Credit: Justin Benson-Cooper/The West Australian

West Coast boasted eight AFL-listed players this time around, with Patrick Naish (30 disposals), Josh Rotham (27) and Isiah Winder (26) the major ball-winners for the Eagles.

Rotham was again forced into the ruck for a large portion of the match, with Eagles ruckman Callum Jamieson called up to replace Nic Naitanui in the AFL side and was well beaten by Jeremy Goddard.

But the Sharks could be without their big man for next week’s Fremantle Derby after an incident with Clark in the third term saw the Eagles midfielder leave the field of play with a broken nose.

SCOREBOARD

EAST FREMANTLE 4.4, 6.6, 7.13, 14.14 (98)

WEST COAST 0.0, 2.1, 3.2, 5.6 (36)

Goals – EAST FREMANTLE: C Smith 3 L English 2 J Jansen 2 R McGuire 2 M Murphy 2 T Bennett B Boekhorst J Goddard. WEST COAST: H Dixon 2 J Johnstone C Nitschke J Williams. Best – EAST FREMANTLE: B Boekhorst J Jansen C Smith L English C Eardley. WEST COAST: J Rotham G Clark M Henderson H Dixon P Naish.

Injuries – WEST COAST: Z Trew (hip), G Clark (nose). H Creasy, J Browne replaced in the selected side by G Clark and Z Trew. Reports: J Goddard (striking G Clark in third quarter).

Umpires: A Crowhurst C Gibson B Laycock. Crowd: About 800 at Mineral Resources Park.

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