Hampson hits ground running at new club
East Fremantle say George Hampson is of most value as a permanent forward after he managed to take his own coach by surprise.
The 25-year-old booted five goals at Steel Blue Oval on Saturday in his return from injury to snap the Sharks out of their early-season slumber.
Even coach Steve Malaxos said he had not expected the heroics from his boom recruit, who was the game’s dominant forward and could have returned an even bigger haul if not for a wayward first quarter in front of goal.
Hampson slotted two goals in the space of two minutes early in the second term to give his side the decisive break over Swan Districts and East Fremantle never relinquished the lead, winning 16.7 (103) to 10.12 (72).
The star turn in the 31-point victory came fresh from missing three weeks with hamstring tendonitis.
“He actually surprised me,” Malaxos said. “He played better than I thought he was going to. I didn’t expect him to be like that. He’s missed a fair bit of training, but he was very good.”
East Fremantle had kicked 10 goals or less a game in a run without Hampson that included losses to Subiaco and Peel Thunder and a narrow win over a battling Claremont.
But his inclusion coincided with the club’s talented midfield flicking the switch, with Jamie McNamara, Liam Anthony and Brock O’Brien all lifting against Swans.
McNamara was particularly prominent in the first half and finished with 25 disposals and nine marks. Jordan Dorotich kept the dangerous Tim Geappen to one goal.
Hampson left Subiaco just four months after winning his first WAFL premiership.
“I’ve got some lifelong friends down at Subiaco,” he said.
“I won a premiership there and I’ve still got good mates there I catch up with all the time, but I had to get away from that coach. It was time to move on.
“This club’s been extremely welcoming. All the boys are that good down here. Everyone’s tight. It’s a great club.”
Ricky Cary was reported for a sling tackle on opponent Samuel Read in the first quarter that concussed the Sharks defender.
Read lay motionless for almost 30 seconds after his head hit the ground. He took no further part in the match.
