Sharks wary of Freo influence
East Fremantle coach Steve Malaxos is under no illusions as to the task his side faces in tomorrow's clash with Peel at Bendigo Bank Stadium.
Malaxos said Peel, now aligned with AFL club Fremantle, had caused his team some grief in recent seasons.
"They have managed to cause an upset or two against us so I will be on guard," Malaxos said.
Malaxos, in his fourth year in charge at East Fremantle, said the Thunder would be tough to shake despite losing their first three matches against East Perth (19 points), Swan Districts (35) and Subiaco (17).
"They are always tough to beat down there," he said.
"It will depend a bit on the Freo nucleus but we are only two and one so need to string some wins together."
Malaxos said the Sharks midfield, which played such a big role in the 75-point win against Claremont in the last round, would again be a key.
Sandover medallist Rory O'Brien, Sean Henson, Scott Hancock, Jamie McNamara, Brett Peake and Bradd Dalziell were terrific in the engine room against the Tigers.
Malaxos said Dalziell, rated No.7 in _The West Australian's _ Top 40 WAFL footballers at the start of the season, was building to his best form.
"He's probably been a little bit below his best in the first two weeks," Malaxos said.
"He's been threatening to have a top game but it hadn't quite happened for him until last week."
Former Brisbane and West Coast wingman Dalziell finished with 30 possessions, eight marks, four inside 50s and four goals, three in the first quarter, when the Sharks romped to victory over Claremont.
Former West Perth ruckman Frank Stockley could face his biggest test yet in the other game tomorrow between co-tenants Subiaco and East Perth at Medibank Stadium.
Depending on who is released from West Coast to line up for the Royals, Lions big man Stockley could find himself pitted against Callum Sinclair, Scott Lycett or Nic Naitanui.
Stockley acquitted himself well last weekend against Peel, taking on Dockers tall timber Jon Griffin, Matt Taberner and Craig Moller.
The 24-year-old had support in the ruck from VFL recruit Lachlan Delahunty against the Thunder, with Andrew McDougall lining up in his first game back from injury in the reserves.
McDougall will most likely play in the reserves again, having got through 75 per cent of last weekend's match.
Key defender Darren Rumble is expected to be recalled to the Subiaco league side after missing the Peel match due to a groin injury.
Charlie LeFanu and Reece Blechynden are in contention for promotion with the Lions finishing last week's league game with only 17 fit players.
