Round 2 Match Preview

Coming off a valiant effort against a high-powered Perth team last week we travel to East Fremantle on Saturday afternoon who are coming off a 95-point hiding at the hands of South Fremantle. 

In what was largely a successful outing against the Demons, one area of concern was the dominance we were conceding in the ruck. This week the task for our ruck stocks doesn’t get any easier, going up against former Thunder player Jonathan Griffin who last week shared the honours with Brock Higgins, both tallying 28 hit-outs each.

Despite the clear ruck disadvantage which also led to a discrepancy in clearances (-9), we managed to hold our own and actually shaded the Demons 42 – 40 in Inside 50’s, showing that we were still able to provide enough supply to our forwards to do some damage on the scoreboard. Interestingly enough despite losing the majority of the hit-outs we managed to score 8.3 to the Demons 2.5 from stoppages. Another area for improvement will be around limiting turnovers as Perth exposed us in that area to the tune of 8.5. 

Turning to East Freo, we have good recent history against the Sharks, winning 11 of our last 12 games, including 5 of the last 6 at Shark Park. It will have been exactly 371 days since we last went up against the Sharks in Round 15 of last season. Jackson Merrett was prolific that day, picking up 32 disposals, Bailey Banfield was also another strong contributor with 30 and 2 goals, it also saw the debut of Lachie Cullen, who kicked the game sealer late in the final term as we took the 4-points 9.5 (59) – 11.14 (80).

Look out for a possible couple of League Debut’s with Isiah Winder, Rob Schindler-Taylor, Zach Rankin, Thomas Quaife and Rob Falkstrom all named on the extended bench. With Ryan Bennell and Brad McGowan both coming out of the side through injury. Last week’s League debutants, James Ewing, Jack Sears, Ben Middleton and Ollie Walton all stay in the side to face the Sharks. With 3-goals last week Brad Holmes is now only 4 away from Dean Buzan’s club record of 181 goals.

Bouncedown is at 2:30pm Saturday at New Choice Homes Park.

Around the grounds, the Colts will be looking to get their first win of the season against East Freo after the heartbreaking after the siren defeat against the Demons last weekend. Possibly without Isiah Winder who tallied 32-disposals and Zach Rankin (21 disposals) both possibly be in line for their first League appearances. The East Freo Colts also narrowly went down in their derby matchup. So with both sides historically having strong Colts programs the loser of this one faces the daunting challenge of being 0-2 in a shortened season. 

Bouncedown is from 12noon Saturday at New Choice Homes Park.

Both our Women’s sides take on South Fremantle the following Sunday at Fremantle Community Bank Oval, the League side will want to continue upon their pardon the pun, ‘marked improvement’ in their season opener against Swan Districts. South Freo is a coming off a heavy loss last week against the Premiers, failing to register a score in their first ever WAFLW match. Kira Phillips kicked 3 last week putting her only 1 behind Sara Lewis of East Freo for the competition lead, look for Kira to have another big afternoon on Sunday.

Bouncedown is from 1pm Sunday at Fremantle Community Bank Oval

The Reigning Premier Rogers Cup girls will take on East Perth, looking to back up their opening round win last weekend.

Bouncedown is from 11:15am Sunday at Fremantle Community Bank Oval

Team Selection: