Sharks take bite out of Bulldogs

East Fremantle’s ability to find forward line targets close to goal and significant midfield pace has delivered a powerful Anzac Day victory and maintained South Fremantle’s hoodoo in home derbies.

Watched by more than 4000 spectators on a balmy afternoon at Fremantle Oval, the Sharks overcame their traditional rivals by 17 points, 13.15 (933) to 11.10 (76) and join Subiaco and Peel on four wins.

South Fremantle were 25 points down at the last change but came home strongly to maintain the trend of a match that saw each team dominate for extended periods but fail to land a killer blow.

Ben Saunders had a dark day with just two goals from two kicks but provided the individual highlight of the match with a spectacular one-handed mark as he soared above a large pack in the last term.

The subsequent goal cut the margin to 19 points and prompted a flurry of attacking sorties but East Fremantle’s defence held together.

It is now four years since the Bulldogs have beaten East Fremantle at home.

South were hampered when State prospect Tim Kelly damaged a hamstring just before the match but his replacement, Steven Verrier, made the most of his chances with a busy display on a wing.

East had the chance to bury their bitter rivals in the third term but missed a series of shots that could have seen them build an impregnable lead.

East Fremantle put on six unanswered goals in 11 minutes during the second term as they raced to a 24-point lead.

Mitch Boyle and Ryan Lester-Smith each swooped on a loose ball in the goal square and kicked a long bomb to have two apiece in the burst as the Sharks took advantage of the pace of Boston Williamson and Jake Schleicher by moving the ball rapidly into attack.

Cam Eardley was also busy during an engaging duel with Ashton Hams that saw the pair produce 34 first-half disposals between them to lead the possession counts for their teams.

South stalwart Ryan Cook rallied when the danger was most extreme to convert two marks within the forward 50 late in the half while Josh Pullman maintained his unsung impact deep in attack with another major just before the long break.

Both teams had produced substantial leads but were pegged back to leave the difference just a goal to the visitors at half-time.

The Bulldogs several times scythed through East Fremantle’s defence early in the game with Marlon Pickett, and then Steven Verrier and Adam McIntosh, taking the ball forward to set up goals.

The Sharks squandered several early chances with George Hampson and Tom Hooker missing shots on the run from close range and it took an accurate finish from back pocket Andrew Stephen to finally get the Sharks on the board.