The WAFL Eagles have wrapped up their 2024 campaign with a 4.5 (29) to 12.17 (89) defeat to East Fremantle in wintery conditions on Saturday afternoon.
West Coast have unfortunately become the first team since Claremont in 1934 to hold four consecutive wooden spoons, this game solidifying the Eagles position on the bottom of the ladder after a challenging season.
In positive signs, Harry Barnett impressed defensively throughout the day, taking seven strong intercept marks, while Matt Flynn was active with 16 touches and 27 hitouts, and Jai Culley managed 22 touches and 10 tackles.
Zane Trew fought hard, finishing with a game-high 31 disposals, six marks, five tackles, six inside 50s and a goal, along with Harley Sparks who tallied 28 touches, six marks and five tackles.
It was a lively contest early at Mineral Resources Park, reigning premiers East Fremantle kicking the first goal of the game through Dillon O’Reilly, before West Coast responded quickly with a goal from Coby Burgiel.
Big man Archer Reid kicked the Eagles’ second following a strong grab inside forward 50, both teams showing good signs in front of goals early and playing clean footy through the middle.
The Sharks took control in the second term, pushing the eight-point quarter-time margin out to 24 points at the main break, with goals through Cameron Eardley and Ben McGuire.
While the Eagles remained competitive, cracks started to appear in their defence and East Fremantle took all the momentum into the second half.
When the rain started pouring, as did the goals for the Sharks, kicking another three majors and holding West Coast goalless in the third term.
While Darby McCarthy opened the final quarter with a much-needed major for West Coast, East Fremantle continued with their fast ball movement and responded through Ben McGuire, his second goal for the day.
It was a convincing win to the Sharks as they now look forward to finals, Milan Murdoch impressed with 30 disposals, while Cameron Eardly was dominant with 16 touches, nine marks and four goals.
EAST FREMANTLE 3.3 6.8 9.13 12.17 (89)
WEST COAST 2.1 3.2 3.4 4.5 (29)
GOALS
East Fremantle: Eardley 4; O’Reilly 3; Leggett, McGuire 2; Bennett. West Coast: Burgiel, Reid, Trew, McCarthy.
BEST
East Fremantle: Eardley, Boekhorst, Baskerville, Jansen, Joyce, Murdoch. West Coast: Trew, Sparks, Barnett, Flynn, Culley, Burke.
